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,lp[E<Wa®(EW©lE,lf^»l]o 



AN ACCOUNT 



OF THE 



CHUECHES IN EHODE-ISLAND. 

PRESENTED AT AN ADJOURNED SESSION OF THE 

TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING 

OF THE 

RHODE-ISLAND 

BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION, 

PROVIDENCE, NOVEMBER 8, 1853. 



BY HENEY JACKSON, 

PASTOR OF THE CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWPORT, R. I. 



PROVIDENCE: 
GEORGE H. WHITNEY, 

1854. 






F po 

Copy 3 



V. 



\^ 



INTEODUCTION, 



The following pages contain the Report presented by Rev. Henrj; Jackson, 
"Vice President of the Rbode-Island Baptist State Convention, at an adjourned 
meeting of the Twenty-eighth Annual Session, held in the Meeting House of 
the High Street Baptist Church, Providence, Nov. 8th, 1853. 

The following Resolution was adopted at the Annual Meeting, June 23d, 
viz: 

" Resolved, That the Rev. Henry Jackson, Vice President of the Con- 
vention, be requested to make a tour through the entire State, visiting all the 
Churches connected with the Baptist Denomination, and collecting such in- 
formation as may in his judgment be deemed advisable, to report at an ad- 
journed meeting of the Convention in the ensuing Autumn." 

The Report, after having been read, was by the Convention referred to 
a Committee of six, to make such disposition of it as they in their 
judgment should deem proper. The Committee at their meeting on the 21st 
of November, after due deliberation, directed that it should be published for 
the use of the churches, and requested the author to furnish them a copy for 
the press. 

In this Report the author has been obliged to rely very much upon the re- 
turns of the United States Census of 1850, as found in the office of the Secre- 
tary of Rhode Island. On this account, and also because he was unable to 
make himself acquainted with the statistics of the various Denominations from 
personal interviews, some inaccuracies may exist, especially as since that time 
changes have occurred — still he has endeavored as far as his opportunities have 
allowed him, to present the number of the churches and the places of public 
worship in Rhode-Island, as they existed in January, 1854. 



KEPORT. 



iVIEMBERS OF THE RHODE-ISLAND BAPTIST STATE 
CONVENTION:— 

Rhode-Island, although geographically covering an 
area of only 134:0 square miles, and embracing 857.000 
acres, has nevertheless gained for herself great honor and 
renown ; and she is abundantly worthy of all the cultiva- 
tion which we have in our power to bestow upon her. In 
his kind providence, a providence all wise and just, God 
gave to our ancestors this soil, and the privilege to admin- 
ister in its waters, for the first .time in America, Christian 
Baptism to believers in Christ, on the profession of their 
faith in Him, as taught in the New Testament and prac- 
tised by our Lord and his disciples. And it was also grant- 
ed to them to give to the world in the simplest and most dis- 
tinct form, liberty of conscience and illustrations of its ex- 
ercise. The Charter of this Colony, obtained from Charles 
II, July 8th, 1663, through the agency of John Clark, 
then in England, was the first full legal instrument that 
the world ever saw, wherein the rights of conscience in 
all matters of religious faith were guaranteed to every 



citizen alike, and in which no one was required to sub= 
mit to any legal restraint, except in civil affairs alone : 
a charter, the priviliges of which had been shadowed 
forth in the convictions and sentiments as expressed by 
our fathers from the earhest settlement of the Colony, 
as well as in the principles of the charter previously ob- 
tained from the Earl of Warwick by Roger Williams, 
(who was specially commissioned for the purpose,) bearing 
date March 17th, 1643-4; but they were concentrated in 
this more ample instrument, the main feature of which 
is so prominent in the Constitutions of our own day, 
and they were adopted and proclaimed as a law in this 
State, January 23d, 1843. This high praise was awarded 
by the talented Callender to " Mr. R Williams and Mr. 
J. Clark," when he remarked, that these " two fathers of 
this Colony, appear among the first who publicly avowed 
that Jesus Christ is King in his own kingdom, and that 
no others had authority over his subjects, in the af- 
fairs of conscience and eternal salvation." In its appli- 
cation to Mr. Clark no one has refused to acknowledge 
the correctness of this declaration ; and certainly from 
Mr. Williams no one has any just ground to withhold 
it. For so strenuous was the latter for religious liberty, 
that he would not allow that any human power had any 
right even to grant it, much less to curtail it ; and hence 
he carefully avoided any reference to it in his charter, 
making mention therein only of civil freedom, which was 
all he desired from a human court, and which, as he con- 
tended, was all that any such court had any just right 
to legalize ; tlie great Judge and Creator having granted 
to man as an inalienable right, the liberty to worship 
Him as every one chooses to elect, provided he offend 
not against the public peace. 



The guarantee of this liberty, as well as its concep- 
tion, we as Baptists claim ; and it is a matter of devout 
gratitude that as such we have never held any adverse 
opinion ; nor have we at any time ever persecuted an- 
other sect on account of the religious sentiments they 
propagated ; nor on any other ground have we sought 
to bind their consciences. And it remains for us in our 
measure to fulfil the high trust committed to us equally 
as to our fathers, that the link binding the present to 
the past be not broken, and that this doctrine by our 
means fail not of regenerating the race. And my prayer 
is, that the Author of liberty and the God of Peace, will 
in his abounding grace, grant to men of every nation that 
same freedom of thought and conscience in religious 
things, which was in the beginning, is now, and as I hope 
ever will be, so entirely untrammelled and unrestrained 
in this same Rhode-Island. Not but that the institutions 
of religion should be protected and even sustained by 
statute law as they at present are, but that no one should 
be compelled to worship God in any manner, or to at- 
tend upon any form of worship whatever. 

My visit to the Churches I commenced soon after 
your annual meeting. The greater portion of them I 
met in their own sanctuaries, and with the condition of 
all I have made myself acquainted. With an account 
of these I enter upon this report. My remarks will 
embrace the number and pecuniary resources of the 
churches of all denominations in the State, but will 
especially describe those of our own body, which I de- 
nominate in their collective capacity, The Rhode-Island 
Baptist State Pastorate, including ev^ry interest that 
now exists, or that may hereafter be formed in connex- 
ion with the Associated Baptists of the State. 



By this designation I would not awaken the jealousy 
of a single member, for no one can be more tenacious 
than myself, of the independency and sovereign right of 
every church to govern itself according to the gospel of 
Christ, it being the judge of the requirements and the 
priviHges thereof in its individual capacity as a church, 
and being accountable alone to the great Head of the 
church, asking at the hand of the civil tribunal simply 
a protection in the free enjoyment of its religious con- 
victions in due subserviency to the laws of a sound civil 
and judicial government. 

Roger "Williams was educated under the direction of 
Sir Edward Coke, to the legal profession, but subse- 
quently he became first an Episcopalian and then a Con- 
gregational minister, having left the former to obtain 
in the latter denomination greater liberty of conscience. 
Having left England in the pursuit of the same purpose, 
on his arrival in Boston, February 5 th, 1631, he met with 
strong opposition to the sentiments that he had fondly 
cherished in his native land, and which first drove him 
to Salem, and thence to Plymouth, and finally banished 
him after his return to Salem from the Massachusetts 
jurisdiction. This man, thus sentenced, in order to 
escape from a condition so unjust, secretly left his house 
and wandered amid Winter's perils to Seekonk, and 
thence, when yet pursued, to our shore, (June 1636) 
then a wilderness occupied by the natives of the forest ; 
and because he had reached a spot where the Boston 
Court could not control him, he called the place Prov- 
idence in honor of his God, like the patriarch of faith, 
when upon his deliverance he beheld the oflering, say- 
ing, " The Lord ivill ^provide'' This was the man who, 
at the age of thirty-two years, sought a home in Ameri- 



9 

ca, because, as he had learned, he could there have one 
*'of piety and freedom ;" and who, after a singular ex- 
periment in the country of his choice, stood when thirty 
seven years old, on a territory mainly the gift of Indian 
affection, and who there advocated " entire and unre- 
stricted religious freedom," and that the civil magistrate 
had no right " to deal in matters of conscience and re- 
ligion." And this was the man who, from his first land- 
ing in Massachusetts, cared for the Indian, and feared 
not when in banishment, to enter his domain, relying 
upon his protection ; and who, as long as he lived, was 
as celebrated for his love to the dwellers in the woods, as 
for his defence of civil and religious freedom, unrestrict- 
ed to all who love and maintain the true principles of 
law and order. 

Having become convinced of believer's baptism, he 
viewed himself unbaptized, and became, not an Ana, 
but a Bible, Baptist. He therefore sought this ordinance, 
and by appointment of the eleven disciples then united 
in an holy band, he was baptized in March 1638-9 by 
Ezekiel Holliman ("a poor man," it has been said, but 
not poorer than his master,) and thus on that day was 
witnessed the first New-Testament baptism in Ameri- 
ca, so far as records show, or tradition reports ; and to 
which occasion we trace the rise of our Denomination 
in the New World. 

I write of Roger Williams, the first missionary to the 
natives of our soil and the " first legislator in the world," 
(at least in its latter ages,) " who fully and effectually 
provided for and established a full, free, and absolute 
liberty of conscience." " He was," as Gov. Hopkins 
affirmed, " the first to maintain this doctrine," as his 
charter abundantly confirms, for, as has been remarked, 



10 

he most cautiously avoided asking for any thing that he 
believed the king had no power to grant ; society in his 
estimation requiring no other laws than those that se- 
cure to the community good and just order, and to its 
members the peaceable enjoyment of their individual 
opinions, so far as they do not interfere with the exercise 
of the civil compact. And, that I do not write unad- 
visedly concerning Mr. Williams' views of religious lib- 
erty, is confirmed by the concluding sentences of the 
code, which contains like his charter nothing except civil 
regulations. This code, which was adopted at the meeting 
of the first General Assembly, reads as follows, " other- 
wise than this, which is herein forbidden, all men may 
walk as their consciences persuade them, every one in 
the name of his God. And let the lambs of the Most 
High walk, in this Colony, without molestation, in the 
name of Jehovah, their God, forever and ever." " This 
noble principle," as Knowles has said, " was thus estab- 
lished, as one of its fundamental laws, at the first As- 
sembly under the charter. It is indigenous to the Rhode- 
Island soil, and is the glory of the State." At that 
meeting of the Assembly no man was more efficient than 
Mr. Williams, who with his charter then in hand re- 
joiced that nothing had been done to militate against his 
own sentiments, or those of his charter. 

But in these opinions and sympathies Mr. Williams 
had many co-operators. There was John Clark, a phy- 
sician and a preacher, who, beholding the spirit of the 
Boston Court in 1637, (being then twenty-eight years 
old,) proposed to his friends " for peace sake, and to en- 
joy the freedom of their consciences," to remove beyond 
its jurisdiction. This proposition was received by them 
with unanimous approbation, and he with some few oth- 



11 

ers, went into New Hampshire, seeking a cooler climate, 
but on account of the great severity of the winter did 
not long abide there, but determined to go South, and 
on th^ir return left their vessel to pass the cape, while 
they came by land to the settlement of Williams. Be- 
tween this man and Williams there was then formed a 
friendship that never was broken. It was with Mr. 
Clark that Mr. AVilliams so heartily engaged in the pur- 
chase of Aquetneck, called in 1644:, Rhode Island, 
from the Indian Sachems, Canonicus, and his nephew 
Myantonymy. And this was that legislator also, who 
framed the code of laws for the subsequent government 
of the Island, and as these laws virtually constituted the 
basis of the laws of the Colonies when united under the 
name of " Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," 
it is supposed that he to a great extent was the author 
of that system of government which was prepared in 
Newport by some one whose name was not announced, 
and which was adopted at the meeting at Portsmouth, 
May 19th, 1647. 

And Mr. Clark,- — with Mr. Williams, fully deserves 
all the eulogy with which either of their names has been 
honored. And it is delighful also to contemplate these 
two apostles of liberty, inseparable in their mutual at- 
tachment, and undivided in their services. To the one 
was granted to obtain the first charter under the seal of 
the Earl of Warwick, March 17th, 1643-4 ; and to the 
other, the second charter of July 8th, 1663 ; and to both 
was given a joint embassy to England, in 1652-3, to 
procure the reversion of a commission granted to one of 
the Islanders, by which the first charter was impaired. 
By their united efforts the said reversion was obtain- 
ed, so that the government was continued as under the 



12 

first until the second charter of Clark ; a charter, the 
sapling of the first, growing into maturity and yield- 
ing fruit in twenty years, the shadow of which was for 
One Hundred and Eighty Years the delight of the land j 
and when its limbs had become time-worn, and when 
the species of the same fruit had become improved, oth- 
er hands of men of like conscience inserted into its 
stock the scions of the latter, and in ten years growth 
we sit down under a foliage more thick and refreshing, 
and taste a fruit more highly flavored ;~the whole bear- 
ing marks of longevity and freshness, never we trust to 
wither, or in its essential principle to change, while man 
needs a government. And truly the petition addressed 
at the Restoration of Charles II. sets forth, that •' our 
fathers," who, in the beginning, "established a mutual 
liberty of conscience," which was " confirmed under 
their first Patent," ■ ' might be permitted to hold forth a 
lively experiment, that a most flourishing civil State may 
stand, and best be maintained, and that among English 
subjects, with a full liberty in religious concernments, 
aud that true piety rightfully grounded on gospel prin- 
ciples, will give the best and the greatest security to 
sovereignty, and will lay in the hearts of men the strong- 
est obligations to true loyality." These two men fell on 
sleep, each in the place of his adoption ; the eldest INIr. 
Williams, at Providence, in the Eighty fourth year of 
his age, having been born in 1599 and dying in 1683 ; 
and the younger, Mr. Clark, at Newport, in the Sixty 
seventh year of his age, having been born in 1609, and 
dying in 167() Of the charters of these two men Cal- 
lender said when nearly a century had passed, " The 
civil State has flourished, as well as if secured by ever 
so many penal laws, and an Inquisition to put them in 



13 

execution. Our civil officers have been chosen out of 
every religious society, and the public peace has been as 
well preserved, and the public councils as well conduct- 
ed, as we could have expected, had we been assisted by 
ever so many religious tests." 

And unto this day in Rhode-Island we have nothing 
but common statute law to guard religious bodies ; nor 
do we need any other than voluntary associations, se- 
cured as all other bodies politic are secured, by common 
and statute law. And I dwell upon historic fact to show 
that a state so free, has been as largely rewarded. No 
division of our confederacy has been, it is believed, more 
blessed than this State has been. Here there have prevailed 
some of the most glorious revivals ; and the records of 
our older churches teem with illustrations of great grace. 
Our college too, founded on the same platform, has sent 
forth some of our ablest men. And although some in 
the possession of this great latitude have gone to ex- 
tremes, yet we have nothing to do, but to repair to God 
directly for his blessing, and we become at the same 
time blessed, and are made blessings. It is in the ab- 
sence of true spiritual reliance, and the consequent neg- 
lect of our obligations, that we have any occasion to 
write Ichabod upon any of our walls, for the glory of 
the Lord never departs from them who preserve his ark 
and keep his testimony. 

The first Baptist Church in America was organized in 
Providence, as nearly as I can ascertain, in 1639. There 
can be no question that the founders of Providence, be- 
ing mostly religious persons, held services on the Sab- 
bath and at other times. But in the absence of all evi- 
dence that any Church of any religious persuasion was 
established by them until the one which was composed 



14 

of individuals baptized by Koger Williams and others^ 
I conclude that the Baptist Church formed in the same 
year of that event, was the first Church gathered in the 
Colony, and the first of its kind in the new settlements 
of America. The first fact is acknowledged in the 
records of the May Session of the Colonial Legislature 
in 1774, in which a petition presented from this Society 
for an Act of Incorporation is thus recorded : — " Where- 
as sundry persons belonging to the congregation assem- 
bling for the public worship of Almighty God, with the 
Christian Church, called Baptist or Antipcedobaptist, 
in the Town of Providence, heing the oldest Christian 
Church in this Colony, and professing to believe that 
Water Baptism ought to be administered by immersion 
only, and that professed believers in Jesus Christ, and 
no others, are proper subjects to the same," Sec. If this 
record be correct, it goes also to show that there was no 
Christian Church of any denomination in the Colony 
prior to 1 639. By many it has been believed that Mr. 
Williams was chosen the " first pastor of the Church " 
which was established in that year, but to my mind there 
is no satisfactory evidence that he was ever inducted into 
its pastorate ; or that he ever reUnquishcd his views of 
the true mode of baptism, as has likewise been claimed, 
but simply of the authority of any person then living to 
perform it. In this opinion I am sustained by Mr. Cal- 
lender, who has expressed his conviction in the words 
that I quote from his printed discourse in which he al- 
ludes to this point. He says, " It does not appear to 
me, that he had any doubt of the true mode, and proper 
subjects of baptism, but that no man had any authority 
to revive the practice of the sacred ordinances, without 
a new and immediate commission." And " had Mr. 



15 

Williams adhered to this maxim," (that the Bible con- 
tains the religion of Christians, and that the word of 
God is a sufficient rule of faith and worship,) the max- 
im of Protestants, and more especially of Puritans, he 
might have continued an Anabaptist all his days, as it 
is said he was more inclinable to them in his latter time." 

In 1652-3, thirteen years after the formation of the 
Church, a division of sentiment concerning the laying on 
of hands upon the heads of new members as a divine or- 
dinance took place among them, and subsequently they 
walked in two bodies, yet the members of both adhered 
to the same love of freedom in the exercise of conscience 
as existed in their beginning. 

In a report like this it is desirable that we settle if 
possible the question, concerning the origin of the de- 
nomination in this country. As no Baptist Church ex- 
isted in America beyond our Colonial limits before 1639, 
the field of our enquiry is directly before us. The exis- 
tence of a Baptist Church in Providence as early as 1639, 
has been questioned by no one. But whether this Church 
is the first of the denomination in this country, has been 
disputed. Those who deny this fact rest their argument 
mainly on the following suppositions, viz : that the pres- 
ent Baptist Church in Providence is not the direct de- 
scent of the original membership, but of the dissenting 
portion; and that in 1638 there was a Baptist Church 
existing in another section of the Colony. In event of 
the truth of these two positions, the Church to which it 
has been from the beginning with little variation ascrib- 
ed, turns out not to be the first in existence in our per- 
suasion in this country. From all the facts, however, that 
I have been able to collect, I am satisfied tliat the received 
opinion concerning the first organization is correct and 
that on the second question there is room for inquiry. 



16 

The division itself in the Church in Providence in 
1652-3, shows that a Baptist Church had existed pre- 
viously to that date, and that in each division there were 
some of the first baptized ; thus identifying the place 
where the new testament baptisms in America were first 
performed. Concerning this fact there was no question 
among ancient historians as far as I can learn from their 
publications ; a fact that chiefly interests me in this docu- 
ment. But of the organization of a Baptist Church in 
the town of Providence in 1639 there can be no ques- 
tion, and that some of the members of each division in 
1652, had been members of that Church is, I think 
equally correct. T. Olney, Chad. Brown, (ancestor of 
the existing Brown family in Providence,) W. Wicken- 
den, G. Dexter, all elders in the Church, were members 
of that fellowship. It has been said that this Church, 
because Mr. Williams did not remain with it, soon 
" crumbled to pieces," but Mr. Calender declares, " I be- 
lieve this to be a mistake in fact, for it certainly appears, 
there was a flourishing Church of the Baptists there, a 
few years after the time of the supposed breaking to 
pieces ; and it is known by the names of the members, 
as well as by tradition," (and this Mr. C. records of a 
period before the division of 1652-3) " they were some 
of the first settlers at Providence." And their succes- 
sors remain till this day the faithful representatives of 
those noble sires who gave us, in the language of Roger 
Williams in 164-1, this illustrious sentiment, that " every 
man has the absolute right to a full liberty in religious 
concernments." I say representatives, for it is evident 
that the main strength of the Church belonged to that 
portion of it which at the division continued, as the 
Church had always done, in the centre of the town, and 



17 

from which all that has ever been of any special note to 
Baptists in Providence, or to the denomination at large, 
has emanated. As to the simple change in organization 
it is of small importance in itself, for there was no change 
in any doctrinal truth, nor in any religious practice, save 
in the practice of the imposition of hands upon the re- 
ception of members. So far as I can learn, there has 
never been, since 1639, a day when the members of the 
First Baptist Church in Providence were not the main 
medium for the transmission of Baptist principles, until 
1805, the date of the present Pine street Baptist Church. 
It was not, as in the Congregational churches, in which 
divisions have occurred in doctrines involving the salva- 
tion of the soul ; the change was concerning merely an 
external rite. And besides, in no part of Mr. Clark's wri- 
tings, as I understand, did he allude to the baptism at 
Providence, in 1 639, which, as it appears to me, he would 
naturally have done, if he were at that time a pastor of a 
Baptist Church in the Colony ; and especially when Bap- 
tists needed so much the public sympathy. It is more 
probable that Mr. Clark himself formed his church after 
the model of the church then at Providence, as this 
church has always been what that church is said to 
have been, a " Five and not a Six Principle Baptist 
Church." 

But as I am discussing the origin of the denomination 
in this country, I will not withhold in this place a brief 
analysis of the Historical Discourse, delivered by the 
Rev. John Callender, in the Sabbatarian meeting-house, 
in Newport, March 24th, 1738, (the late meeting-house 
ot this church then being in process of erection) it being 
that day one hundred years since the Indian Sachems 
signed the deed of the Island. That discourse, to which 



18 

I often refer in this report, is a document of the highest 
authority, and as it comes from one of the honored pas- 
tors of the First Baptist Church in Newport, I use it 
with greater confidence. 

In his exordium, Mr. Callender states his plan, arranged 
in three parts ; viz : An account of the occasion and man- 
ner of the first settlement of the Colony ; a view of its 
civil and religious history ; and its present condition. 
Under the first he relates many things incident to the 
settlement of New England in general and of this Col- 
ony in particular ; — such as the early history of Mr. 
Roger Williams — his flight from Massachusetts and his 
reception by the Indians in the land which he called Prov- 
idence — ^also Mr. Williams' reception of John Clark and 
his associates, the purchase of Aquetneck, now called 
Hhode-Island, and the settlement of this Island. Under 
the second, Mr. Callender gives a very careful and minute 
account of the purchases made from the Indians of other 
lands also, that were in his times component parts of 
the Colony ; the incorporations of the various towns, 
and their subsequent formation into counties ; and the 
different forms of government that had prevailed in the 
territory. He proceeds then to give the information he 
he had obtained of the religious history of the Colony. 
And when he has completed this, he describes the 
condition of the Indians within the bounds of the Col- 
ony, and the circumstances of the English in regard to 
them. He closes his discourse with several admirably 
practical addresses. 

It is his religious account that specially induces mo 
to introduce this analysis. And I have described the 
main features of his plan that you may mark w4th what 
great care and accuracy he has compiled the facts which 



19 

he has given. Having defended the views of religious 
liberty which had obtained in the Colony, accounting 
it as the greatest glory of the Colony to have avowed 
such sentiments as had been expressed from its settle- 
ment, while blindness yet existed in other places, he 
presents it as an example to others, because therein 
the principles were first put into practice. He then pro- 
ceeds to relate in detail the religious history of the Colony. 
And you will notice the peculiar phraseology employed 
when he enters upon his civil history of the country. 
"And that we may take things from the beginning, be 
pleased," he says, " to observe that October 12, 1492, 
this part of the world since called America," «S:c. And 
in a note at this date he adds, " I have followed the 
dates in the New-England Cronology, where the most 
material facts are collected, and placed in the truest 
light, and the dates fixed with the greatest accuracy and 
exactness." And the same care is apparent in all his 
civil narrations. Nor has any discrepancy been detected 
save in his date of Williams' landing at Providence, 
which he fixes in 1634-5, one year earlier than the pe- 
riod now confirmed ; but be it remembered that there 
has been a disagreement among historians of high re- 
pute concerning this point ; but in all others he is won- 
derfully correct and even in this also according to Hop- 
kins and Hutchinson. And the same care is apparent 
in his religious narative. In a manner similar to his 
civil, he commences his religious narrative, and almost in 
the same latigUage. "But to take things in their order," 
(their order of occurrence certainly, in accordance with 
historical principles) " Mr. R. Williams is said, in a few 
years after his settling at Providence, to have embraced 
the opinions of the people called (by way of reproach) Ana- 



20 ' 

baptists, in respect to the subject and mode of baptism ; 
and to have formed a church there," which last named 
fact Mr. Callender in a note afterwards retracts. And sub- 
sequently, having made many remarks defending the im- 
portance of adhering to the plainly revealed institutions 
of Jesus Christ, notwithstanding the corruptions put upon 
them by men, (referring to Mr. Williams turning a seek- 
er for a new revelation, by which men should be commis- 
sioned afresh to perform them,) Mr. Callender describes 
the division that took place in 1652 concerning the lay- 
ing on of hands, in the church formed at the baptism of 
Williams, and the several branches that shot out from 
that church ; and when Providence was divided in 1730 
into several townships, he describes how these branches 
became distinct churches; and he informs us that there was 
in his day "a strict Association of all the Baptist Churches 
in N. England, that hold the same doctrine ;" which As- 
sociation continues to this time, having held its one hun- 
dred and eighty- third anniversary at Cranston, Sept. 9th, 
10th and 1 1th, 1853, it having been formed in 1670. Mr. 
Callender next in order returns to Rhode Island, and 
gives us in detail certain facts concerning the first settlers. 
He styles them " Puritans of the highest form." He states 
that they depended on the assistance of Mr. Wheelright, 
a famous Congregational minister ; and when disappoint- 
ed by his non arrival, that Mr. Clark carried on a public 
worship, (as did Mr. Brewster at Plymouth,) at his first 
coming, till they procured Mr. Lenthel of Weymouth, 
who is specially spoken of as a teacher of youth in a 
public school. He states that they built a meeting-house 
both at Portsmouth and at Newport, but never intimates 
that they ever formed a church, tis Gov. Winthrop has 
recorded, although he speaks of its having been " gath- 



21 

ered in a very disorderly way." And from the remark ad- 
ded by Mr, Callender, I question whether there was any 
church on the Island, which was duly formed at that pe- 
riod, any more than at Providence in the beginning, for 
speaking of their Meeting house he writes, " which I sup- 
pose Avas designed for public worship," and which I doubt 
not was built for any other meetings of the colonists. 
And also from another passage near the close of the same 
discourse in which he mentions that his, (the Clark 
church,) " was the first society settled in church order 
on this Island, as it is the eldest ;" clearly implying, as 
it seems to me, that there was no regular church on the 
Island actually and properly constituted, until the one 
to which Mr. Callender ministered as the pastor in 1738, 
and which had then been in existence certainly from 
1644, and probably from 1641. 

Mr. Callender proceeds to give us what he has learned 
from others " that in 1644," as it was said, " Mr. Clark 
formed a church on the scheme and principles of the Bap- 
tists. It is certain," he adds, " that in 1648 there were 
fifteen members in full communion." He then describes 
successively in the order of their establishment the sev- 
en churches then existing on the Island, viz. The First 
Baptist in 1644; the Second Baptist in 1656; the 
Friends in 1656-7 ; the Sabbatarian in 1671 ; The First 
Congregational in 1696, the Church organized in 1720, 
and the one in 1728; the Episcopal in 1700, and 
the Friends at Portsmouth. And he closes his re- 
ligious history with an equally particular mention of the 
several distinct Societies and worshipping Assemblies of 
Christians in the entire Colony, numbering thirty-three. 
If there be any excellence in this discourse, and there 
are very many, it is found in the correctness of the dates 



22 

which he has affixed to the several events described ; dates 
that so far as the Colonial records are involved I have 
found in every instance to be precisely as he has given 
them. 

To my mind therefore it is conclusive that Mr. Cal-^ 
lender himself has fully settled the question, and that he 
fully believed that the Baptist Church in Providence 
organized in 1639, was the first Baptist Church formed 
in America. He first describes the Church in Provi- 
dence, not from courtesy as one might be tempted to do 
at this time, (for Newport was by far the more flourish- 
ing and prominent,) but as an historian ; and then in 
the order of his history he comes to the church of his 
care, as being next in age. To doubt this is to invali- 
date his accuracy as an historian, and to excite doubts 
of the correctness of his order and dates in his civil his- 
tory of New England in general and of this Colony in 
particular. And I have given the facts as I have found 
them narrated, believing most fully that they are faith- 
fully chronicled from the highest and most reliable 
authorities ; and that without any other motive than to 
adhere to what historical testimony establishes, so that 
we may possess the historical facts in our Ecclesiastical, 
as well as in our Civil History. And if any evidence ex- 
ists to change the order of these events, no one will be 
more gratified than myself to receive it. 

At the session of the Legislature in May, 1682, an 
act was passed confirming to Newport, Portsmouth, 
Providence, Warwick and Westerly the lands that had 
been purchased by these several towns of the Indians. 
At the session in 1703, the Colony Was divided into two 
counties, Providence Plantations and Hhode-Island ; and 
in June, 1729, it was again divided into three counties, 



23 

in order that the interests of the citizens at larsre might 
be better subserved than they could be under the forms 
by which they had been heretofore conducted. The first 
embraced Newport, Portsmouth, Jamestown, and New 
Shoreham, and was known by the name of Newport 
County, Newport being its county town. It has been 
since that period increased by the addition of Middle- 
town, Little Compton and Tiverton ; it now includes 
seven towns. The second was styled the County of 
Providence, having Providence for its county town, and 
included Providence, East Greenwich and Warwick. — 
The towns within the present boundaries of the county 
have since been added, comprising ten ; viz. Smithfield, 
Glocester, Scituate, Cumberland, Cranston, Johnston, 
North Providence, Foster, Burrillville and the City of 
Providence. The third county was denominated Kings 
County, and was composed of the towns of North 
Kingstown, South Kingstown, and Westerly, South 
Kingstown being the county toAvn. The towns of Charles- 
town, Exeter, Richmond and Hopkinton have been 
annexed, and the name of the county altered to that 
of Washington ; it numbers at this time seven towns. 
The County of Bristol was formed in the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1 746, and consisted of the towns of Bristol and 
Warren, Bristol being the county seat. The town of 
Barrington has since been established, and added to 
this county, so that it embraces three towns. In June, 
1750, East Greenwich, that had been divided into East 
and West Greenwich, and Warwick, which had been 
also formed into two towns, the latter bearing the name 
of Coventry, w^ere taken from Providence County, and 
made into a distinct County, which was called the County 
of Kent, and embraced four towns. East Greenwich being 



24 

the county town. Thus the State has been apportioned 
into five counties, which divisions remain and afford to 
its inhabitants every accommodation that their civil in- 
terests apparently require, embracing in all thirty-one 
townships. I shall arrange my remarks upon the churches 
now existing in the State according to these divisions, 
beginning with the County of Newport. 

County of Newport, established in 1729. 

Tiverton, incorporated into a township in January, 
1746, is one of the five towns that were annexed to the 
Khode Island jurisdiction by the royal decision of George 
II. These towns were Tiverton, Little Compton, Bris- 
tol, Warren, and Cumberland. Their first meeting for 
the choice of town officers occurred on the second Tues- 
day in February, having been received into the State 
compact in January, and added to the counties to which 
they are attached, the last of February, 1746. Tiver- 
ton is the northern town of the County. It has a popu- 
lation of 5,000, with a property estimated at more than 
^2,000,000. There is a Roman Catholic house, seating 
600 persons, and valued at ^4,500, and another now in 
process of erection, at a cost, it is said, of more than 
^50,000 ; a Friend's, seating 200, and valued at ^1,000 ; 
two Congregational, accommodating 600, with estates of 
^10,000 ; one Christian, seating 100, and valued at 
;^ 1, 500, which is now closed; one Free Will Baptist, 
arranged for 250, at a cost of ;^3,500 ; and one Asso- 
ciated Baptist. 

The Central Baptist Meeting house was built in 1851, 
on the high lands, half of a mile north of the stone 
bridge. It is 36 ft. X 48 ft,, having a tower, orchestra, 
vestry, and convenient shed-room, and seats for 300, hav- 
ing a congregation of 200, averaging 90, 42 pews on the 



25 

floor, and appraised at ;^2,500. The population in the 
vicinity is 466. They tax their pews and have also sub- 
scriptions for their minister's support. Their deacon is 
Asa Gray. Their late pastor, Rev. D. M. Burdick, has 
removed to Smithfield. It was by his means to a great 
extent that this house was erected. They have now no 
pastor. Here is an interesting field, and a residence pe- 
culiarly healthy, with a water view and landscape scenery 
rarely, if ever equalled. The house is placed in the 
centre of a county about nine miles square, in which it is 
the only edifice of the kind, except that of a small society 
of Friends. Only about $90, of its cost remains unpaid. 

Little Compton, formed also into a township with 
corporate powers in January 1746, is the south-eastern 
town of the State, and is connected with Tiverton on 
the south. Its population is 1.600, and its property 
^1,000,000. There is an efficient Congregational church 
here, their house seating 500, and valued at ^4,000 ; a 
Methodist also, holding 300, and valued at ^4,000 ; a 
Friend's, providing for 200, at a cost of ^1,000 ; and a 
Christian, having room for 300, and appraised at ^2,500. 

Portsmouth, originally called Pocasset, but denomi- 
nated Portsmouth in 1644, is the north town on the 
Island of Rhode Island ; it was settled in March, 
163T-8, the deed of the Indian Sachems Canonicus and 
Myantonomy, being dated the 24th of that month. It 
contains 2000 population, and its property is estimated 
at ;$ 1,500,000. There is a Methodist house here, having 
room for 300, and valued at ^^2,000 ; a Christian, seating 
250, with a valuation of $ 1 ,000 ; a Friend's, accommoda- 
ting 500, appraised at ^2,500 ; and two Episcopalian 
houses providing for 600, and valued at ;§fl5,000. 



26 

MiDDLETOwN, Set ofF from Newport in August, 1743, 
lies between Portsmouth and Newport, having a popula- 
tion of 1,000, with estates valued at ;9f 1,200,000. There 
are two Christian houses, seating each 200, the one val- 
ued at ^500, and the other at ;^ 1,700 ; and an Episcopa- 
lian, designed to seat 150, which cost ;$f 1,500. 

Jamestown, which was purchased in 1657, and incor- 
porated in May, 1678, embraces the Island of Canonicut; 
it numbers 400 inhabitants, and its property is valued 
at ^300,000. This is a beautiful Island in the Narra- 
gansett bay, dividing the waters into the eastern and 
western channels, and is nine miles long by one broad, 
having an Episcopal house, seating 160, with a prop- 
erty of ^600 ; a Friend's, accommodating 120, with an 
estate at ^400 ; and a Free Will Baptist, with seats for 
120, and a property of ^350. 

The four preceding towns have no house for the As- 
sociated Baptists, although among those on Rhode Island 
there are many families who worship with the Baptist 
churches in Newport, several members of which families 
being connected with these churches in gospel fellowship, 

New-Shoreham, anciently called by the Indian name 
Manisses, and afterwards Block-Island, as it is said, after 
one Adrian Block, a Dutch navigator, who came to this 
place, was made a township in May, 1672. It is situated 
thirty miles south-west from Newport, and fifteen from 
Point Judith, measuring eight miles in length and upon 
an average two and a half in breadth. It is a luxuriant 
Island, having 1,300 inhaitants, with a property estimated 
at ^500,000. There are two Free AVill Baptist Societies, 
one of which is now building a Meeting-house to seat 
200, at a cost of ^500 ; the other has no house. The 
house of the Associated Baptists is a one story building, 



27 

18 by 45 feet, containing 70 pews, seating 240, and val- 
ued at ^400 ; — erected I should think in another age ; — 
a house wholly unworthy of the Island. They need a 
new edifice exceedingly, and such a building would do 
more to promote the improvement of the people than 
any other external instrumentality. Their congregation 
is 300, averaging 1-50. The minister is sustained by sub- 
scription. The deacons are Edward Dodge and Simon 
Dodge. 

Upon this Island there is scarcely a tree growing. 
The land presents an ocean surface, rolling every where 
in the form of waves moderately raised. There are only 
three places that can be said to be elevated, viz: Bea- 
con-Hill, Pilot-Hill, and Clay-head-heights ; these not 
only afford a fine prospect of the face of the Island, 
but they present on every side a magnificent view of the 
waters of the Atlantic. Clay-head on the north-east and 
the high bluffs on the southern boundary, each being 
some one hundred feet above the level of the ocean, 
give to those who are in the distance a favorable im- 
pression of the value of the Island ; and could an 
adequate breakwater be constructed at the landing on 
the east-shore, it would become an invaluable harbor to 
many vessels, and bring into market at once all its 
land for summer residences, giving to its present own- 
ers a greatly increased price for their acres. A town 
appropriation of some ^10,000 would build such a land- 
guard and make it the resort of numbers. There is also 
a pond in the north-west part of the Island, containing 
it is said, nearly two thousand acres of surface, with a 
depth of from forty to sixty feet, which has been used as 
an harbor. The entrance to this pond was cut by an 
order from the Assembly in May 1670, but in process 



28 

of time, it has been mostly filled up with the washing of 
the shore. Could this breach again be opened, this 
pond would afford one of the largest and safest har- 
bors upon the entire coast. And I am happy to learn 
that both these suggestions are receiving consideration ; 
and they will it is believed, ere long, lead to the elevation 
of this Island of the ocean. 

It is in view of the future as well as the present inhab- 
itants, that I regard this Island as being to us a very inter- 
esting place of labor. Isolated from society in general, 
the people, of necessity, have little more to interest them 
than what they themselves originate. Hence it is that 
there has been so much zeal among them at different 
periods, especially in religious things, and not according 
to knowledge. But they are thoroughly Baptist in 
their convictions and sympathies. And if the right 
means be employed, there is no reason why the invest- 
ment should not prove a valuable one. 

The morals of the inhabitants compare favorably with 
those of other communities. In a town meeting, about 
ten years since, they refused by a decided vote, to sanc- 
tion the vending of intoxicating drinks, and hence none 
are retailed upon the Island, Education is receiving in- 
creased attention. There are five public schools, sus- 
tained in as many districts, each district meeting the ex- 
penses of its own school by taxation. 

Newport was settled by John Clark, and others, who 
came from the northern to the southern part of the Island 
in the Spring of 1639. ^ The settlers at Portsmouth had 
become too numerous for their personal advantage, and 
therefore they formed another settlement which consti- 
tuted the southern division of the Island that gave the 
State its name. It contains 11.000 inhabitants, and 



29 

by estimation ^8.000.000 in property. In the year 1785 
Newport became a city, but returned to its original town 
government after one year. In 1853 it again became a 
city; and the Hon. George H. Calvert presides with 
great efficiency as its first Mayor, The Redwood Li- 
brary, 7000 volumes, under the management of its libra- 
rian Augustus Bush Esq., is of great public utility. 

This city has become, during the warm weather, the 
most inviting place of resort on the sea-board, and 
already many costly and very splendid private residences 
have been erected in its late agricultural district, and on 
the cliffs that girt it on the ocean side. Various houses 
of this description have also been built in other parts of 
the city territory. The relative importance of this loca- 
tion is becoming appreciated as in the times of our fath- 
ers, when the business of the town was as active and ex- 
tensive as that of any other place with like capital. In 
1738 there were owned by the citizens, to say nothing of 
the large number of distilleries, rope-walks, and other 
branches of manufacturing interests, more than one hun- 
dred sail of vessels, and in 1769, the town " outrivalled 
New York, in her foreign and domestic commerce. The 
inhabitants of New York, New Haven, New London, 
&c. depended entirely on Newport for a market to sup- 
ply themselves with foreign goods, and here they found 
a ready market for the produce of their own states. 
Eighteen West Indiamen have been known to arrive in 
a single day. It was said at that period, that possibly 
New York might, in time, equal Newport." And the 
direction of letters from Europe to persons in the pres- 
ent grand emporium of trade, was usually " New York, 
near Newport, R. I.^' 



30 

In this city there are fifteen congregations who meet 
regularly and five that assemble only occasionally. — 
Among these there are three Episcopal houses, seating 
2.066 persons, with property attached valued at ;$f4 1.000; 
one Free Will Baptist, now let to the Episcopalians ; one 
Seventh-day Baptist, accommodating 300, valued at 
^1000, in which also the Fourth or Free Will Baptist 
have an interest ; one Congregational, providing for 800, 
and estimated at ^13.500 ; one Unitarian holding 700, 
and valued at ^8.500 ; one Methodist Episcopal, seating 
800, and appraised at ,^8.000 ; two Friends, accommo- 
dating 1800, with ;^2 1.000 in estate ; one Jewish Syna- 
gogue, now closed, seating 300, and estimated at ^8.000; 
one Roman Catholic, holding 900, valued at ^30.000, 
and one other not occupied ; one Union and two other 
colored churches, have room for 300, and are apprised 
at ;^2.000 ; a few smaller houses, and a Moravian now 
used as a school house ; and three of the Associated 
Baptists. We may also add that a house for a Catholic 
School is being erected to be opened the ensuing Spring 
with accommodations for 100 girls ; it is to be under 
the care of the Sisters of Mercy. A school-house for 
boys' is nearly completed, with accommodations for an 
equal number. 

The First Baptist house was erected in 1846, and is 
capable of seating 950. It is situated on Spring street, 
measuring 62 by 72 feet, and is furnished with tower 
and bell, galleries and organ, having 120 pews on the 
floor, and vestries, at a cost of ^^ 10.000, It is a substan- 
tial and commodious building, and has no debt. The 
congregation is 700, averaging 450. They support their 
pastor by a society taxation. The deacons are Benjamin 



31 

Smith, Peleg Sanford, Benjamin B. Howland, and Sam- 
uel S. Peckham. 

The first pastor of this church was John Clark, who 
came from England to this country, iu 1637, and who was 
the founder of the Colony which first settled upon the soil 
of the Island. The Baptists of this Island justly claim 
this church as their mother and Mr. Clark as their an- 
cestor. In the very beginning of the civil government, 
a congregation was gathered, not however with much 
form or efficiency, composed of persons bound together 
principally by the one and the grand idea of their times, 
liberty of conscience in religious sentiment, and its 
peaceable enjoyment, independent of the civil power. 
This people "had desired and depended on the assistance 
of Mr. Wheelwright, a famous Congregational minister," 
a man of kindred feelings with theirs, but who for some 
unassigned reason did not take up his abode with them, 
but went to Long Island. Subsequently, after about 
two years ministry performed among them by Mr. Rob- 
ert Lenthall of Weymouth, a teacher of a school as well 
as a minister of the gospel, Mr. Clark resumed the care 
of the public meetings, as he had done prior to the set- 
tlement of Mr. Lenthall ; and as Gov. Winthrop records 
that in 1641 there was "a schism among them," on ac- 
count of the erronious opinions of one Nicholas Easten 
and others, it has been inferred that they became extinct 
and that the distinct and separate organization of the 
present church then took place. Under date of Oct. 1 2th, 
1648, there are recorded the names of twelve persons as 
members, the pastor Mr. Clark and his wife, and ten 
others ; the first baptisms recorded are of Samuel 
Hubbard and two others, which occured the month en- 
suing, Nov. 3d, thus confirming the statements made by 



32 

Callender, " It is said that in 1644 Mr. John Clark and 
some others formed a Church on the scheme and prin- 
ciples of the Baptists. It is certain that in 1648 there 
were fifteen members in full communion." The impres- 
sion of several historians is that it was formed earlier 
than in 1644. But it is evident that no other than Mr. 
Clark exercised any efficient pastoral supervision on the 
Island from its settlement in 1638, until his return to 
England with Mr. Williams in 1651. 

This is a venerable church, having existed for more 
than two centuries. Located in a place so well known 
and so popular as Newport was for many years, which 
excelled Providence in capital and in the number of its 
inhabitants until the revolutionary war, (that war so 
destructive in every respect to Newport,) this church oc- 
cupied a high rank in the community, and drew members 
from towns remote. It has enjoyed the ministry of many 
who were distinguished for the purity of their life and for 
their clear conceptions of the gospel. And never in the 
severest temptation has it as a body relinquished the 
truth as it is in Jesus. And at no former period has it 
been more prosperous than it is at the present time. 

The Second Baptist house was erected in 1834-5, and 
dedicated October 22d, 1835. It is situated on the corner 
of North Baptist and Farewell streets, and is of Gothic 
architecture, 86 by 52 feet, having 104 pews on the floor, 
and seating 1000 ; its property is rendered at $25,000. 
The congregation is 600, averaging 350. It is furnished 
with a tower and bell, galleries, organ and vestries. It 
also has a parsonage house. The pastor is supported by 
the income of a fund and by subscriptions. The deacons 
are Sanford Bell, Benjamin Marsh, John C. Barker, and 
Simeon Hazard. This church, like the first, has been 



33 

favored with many revivals of religion and has always 
adhered to the faith. It is also venerable in age, having 
been constituted in 1656, nearly two hundred years ago. 

The Central Church, which emanated from the Sec- 
ond in 1846, has a congregation of 700, with an aver- 
age of 450- At their organization Jan. 7th, 1847, they 
purchased the Second Congregational Meeting house, 
standing in a central location on Clarke Street, (a finely 
framed building, built in 1735,) and entirely remodeled it 
the same year, dedicating it anew the 23d of September 
following. It is finished with a tower, galleries, and 
vestries, has a bell and organ, and will seat 900. It 
has on the floor 104 pews, and measures, since its en- 
largement in 1852, 93 by 42 feet; it has cost the 
Society ^12.000. Unwdlling to sell their pews, the So- 
ciety owes a debt of ;^6.237, the premises being a stock 
debt in shares of 100 each, at semi-annual interest, con- 
ditional in its redemption, secured by a peculiar form of 
mortgage on the premises, and a policy of insurance of 
,^7.000. It has paid one half of its outlay. It rents its 
pews, the proceeds of which, with weekly contributions, 
fully and punctually meet their expenses. Every male 
member of the Church of twenty-one years of age, in 
good standing in the Church, is a member of the Society. 
Its deacons are Joseph W. Hazard, Gideon Lawton, 
Nathaniel H. Langley, and Thomas Mumford Seabury. 
This is an enterprising and thriving body, strongly at- 
tached one to another, and deeply interested in the prin- 
ciples of their organization. 

The actual property in the county of Newport amounts 
to ^14.500.000, and the population is 22.300. In the 
houses of public worship, there are 17.206 seats, valued 
at ;$240.950. 



3^ 

In this County the Associated Baptists have not quite 
one-fifth of the accommodation in the churches, but in 
the city they have more than one-fourth. " The people 
who came to Rhode-Island were," as Callender main- 
tains, "Puritans of the highest form." And quoting 
from Bishop Sanderson he further states what the Bishop 
declared, that " the Rev. Archbishop Whitgift, and the 
learned Hooker, men of great judgment, and famous in 
their times, did long since foresee and declare their fear, 
that if ever Puritanism should prevail among us, it 
would soon draw in Anabaptism after it. — This Cart- 
wright and the Disciplinarians denied, and were offend- 
ed at. — But these good men judged right ; they consid- 
ered, only as prudent men, that Anabaptism had its rise 
from the same principles the Puritans held, and its 
growth from the same course they took ; together with 
the natural tendency of their principles and practices 
towards it; especially that One Principle, as it was 
then by them misunderstood, that the Scripture was the 
adequate rule of action, so as nothing might be lawfully 
done, without express warrant, either from some com- 
mand or example therein contained ; which clue, if fol- 
lowed as far as it would go, would certainly in time 
carry them as far as the Anabaptists had then gone." 
" This " says Mr. Callender, " I beg leave to look upon 
as a most glorious concession of the most able adver- 
saries." The first comers to this Island being absorbed 
in the great Principle of their day, (for an adherence to 
which many of them had been excommunicated from 
their churches in Massachusetts,) were led in their 
religious course to a result perfectly natural, the grad- 
ual and in the end full reception of Baptist senti- 
ments. And hence it is that there is not for more than 



35 

sixty years after their settlement, a record or a tradition 
of a pedo-baptism, nor any evidence that any other bap- 
tism than that of the New Testament was administered 
until after the close of the seventeenth century, when 
Congregationalists and Episcopalians began to come in. 

And most sincerely do we hope for the continuance 
and increase of a representation of these early and truth- 
seeking settlers in a section so rich in natural scenery, 
and so justly celebrated for its salubrious climate ; 
where too so much interest is felt in education and in 
morals, although much abounding fashionable dissipa- 
tion is tolerated by many. We need in this garden of 
nature, faithful representatives who will successfully 
urge the claims of the gospel. But it is a matter of de- 
vout gratitude to Almighty God, that so much of the 
ministry as is now performed within this County is 
marked with such discriminating truth, although they 
sympathise not with us in the divine ordhiance of bap- 
tism, and do not use its abundant waters for the emble- 
matical burial of converts with Christ, " born not of 
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, 
but of God." 

Leaving New Shoreham the 28th of July, the next 
day I visited Wickford, and thus entered what was de- 
nominated in June 1729, Kings County, but which in 
October 1781 was changed by an Act of the Legis- 
lature to its present designation, 

Washington County, Incorporated in 1779 and 1781. 
As the occasion and the reasons for this Act were 
peculiar and also the year itself memorable in the an- 
nals of our American history, I transcribe the entire 
record as found in the Schedule for that period. The 



36 

General Assembly were then in session at Kingston, the 
County town ; the act stands unaccompanied by any 
explanation, and reads as follows, viz : 

" Whereas since the Declaration of the Independence 
of the United States of America, it becomes the wisdom 
of the rising Republic to obliterate, as far as may be, 
every Trace and Idea of that Government which threat- 
ened our destruction — 

" Be it enacted by the General Assembly, and by the 
Authority thereof it is hereby enacted. 

That the Name of King's County, by which the South- 
ernmost County in this State was heretofore distinguish- 
ed, shall forever hereafter cease : And that, in perpetual 
and grateful Remembrance of the eminent and most 
distinguished Services, and heroic Actions, of the illus- 
trious Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United 
States of America, the said County shall forever hereafter 
be known and called, in all legislative Acts, legal Pro- 
ceedings, Convenances, &c. by the Name and Style of 
Washington." 

And the citizens of the Kingstons, having had the 
name of Washington conferred upon the County, have 
felt, as I infer from their silence on this subject, that no 
harm can befall them, if the Colonial designations of their 
towns remain. 

This County originally, when a Colony, embraced two 
of the Providence plantations ; the first included the 
Kingstons, and the second the District of Westerly. 
Kingston, or the lands properly called the Narragansett 
lands, was incorporated into a township in October, 1674, 
but was subsequently in May, 1722, divided into North 
and South Kingston. And in March, 17'12, North 



37 

Kingston was divided, by the constitution of another 
township, which was named Exeter. 

North Kingston contains three churches of the Asso- 
ciated Baptists, each possessing a neat and convenient 
edifice, centrally situated, and surrounded by a popula- 
tion greater in number than they can respectively accom- 
modate with seats. 

The First Church located their house on the Post-road, 
so called, a road that runs from Providence direct to the 
south-west corner of the State, in the village of Allenton, 
two miles south of Wickford; it was built in 1848, at a 
cost of j^2000 ; it measures 32 by 47 feet. It contains 54 
pews and an orchestra, reported as seating 400, with a 
congregation of 300, averaging 150. Rev. J. A. Tilling- 
hast, their former minister, has returned to his charge 
after a year's absence. He is supported by subscription. 
The deacons are Constant Sweet and George Allen. 

The second, which emanated from the preceding 
church, bears the name of the " First Baptist Church 
in Wickford," an incorporated village. Their house was 
erected in the centre of the place, (40 by 50 feet,) in 
1816, and rebuilt in 1836. It is furnished with tower, 
bell, orchestra, and organ, and has on the floor 64 pews, 
seating 450. Their congregation is 300, averaging 160. 
The property is put down at ^4000. A building near 
the church two stories high, has recently been erected at 
a coFt of j^700. The upper part is neatly seated for a chap- 
el, holding 225, and the lower part is occupied for school 
purposes. They support their pastor by subscription. 
Temperance and morals in other respects prevail in the 
village, and an increasing attention is paid to education. 
They have at present no deacons, but older members 
serve at the table. 



38 

The third was built in 1842, about three miles north 
of Wickford, on the Post-road in that part of the town 
called " Quoitnesset." It is 36 by 46 feet, has an 
orchestra, tower, and 50 pews, holding 300 ; it has a 
congregation of 200, averaging 125. There is a popula- 
tion in their vicinity of about 550, who are temperate, 
and, as I am informed, otherwise well disposed. The 
edifice was finished at a cost of ,^2,000. Donations are 
made to the pastor for his services. The deacons are 
Charles Spencer and Thomas Hill. 

In addition to these, there are in the town two Epis- 
copal Churches, (one unoccupied,) seating 600 and 
valued at ^7,600; one Methodist seating 150 and ap- 
praised at ^300 ; one Free Will Baptist holding 150 and 
valued at ^ 1 ,000 ; and two old or Six Principle Baptists 
accommodating 425 and valued at ^1,800. The town 
contains 3,100 inhabitants and an aggregate property 
of;$fl,500,000. 

Exeter, a division of North Kingston, was incorpo- 
rated in March, 1742, into a township and called by this 
name. It is the northwestern town of the county. It 
has a population of 1,700 inhabitants and property esti- 
mated at ^600,000. In the United States census of 
1850, by which I am mainly governed in my statistics 
in every place, except such as relate to the immediate 
membership and Sabbath School department of our own 
churches, I find but two religious societies reported, and 
these in the eastern section, leaving the entire western 
without any stated place for worship. The first is the 
old Baptist, seating 400, and valued at ^1,500; and 
the second, the Associated Baptist house, built in 1838 ; 
it is 32 by 42 feet, and free from debt. It is finished 
with tower, orchestra and 54 pews. It holds 400, has 



39 

a congregation of 250, averaging 100, and is valued at 
j^2,500. The minister is sustained by subscription. The 
singing is congregational. Temperance is promoted, 
and schools for the greater portion of the year are taught. 
They have no deacons. 

South Kingston is contiguous to North Kingston, 
containing 4,000 people, with an estimated property of 
^1,600,000. There are two Episcopal houses, seating 
580, valued at ^^4,500 ; two of the Friends providing for 
650, at a cost of ^1,600 ; two for colored people and 
others, containing 250 seats, at a cost of ^800 ; one 
Congregationalist accommodating 500, with a property of 
;^7,70O ; two of the Free Will Baptists holding 450, and 
appraised at j^ 1,500 ; one of the Six Principle Baptist 
seating 150 and valued at ^200 ; one of the Seventh- 
Day Baptists designed for 150 and valued at $100 ; and 
three of the Associated Baptists. There is also a house 
at the South Ferry, beautiful in its construction, the 
land on which it stands having been given to the Asso- 
ciated Baptists by John and Jacob Wanton. 

The First Baptist Church has a house situated in the 
village of Wakefield, on the Post-road, having Peacedale 
on the north. It was built in 1852, is 37 by 70 feet, 
and cost ^^8,000. It is Gothic in its architecture both 
internal and external, and the whole style is pecu- 
liarly neat in all its finish. It has a tower, bell, orches- 
tra, vestries, a fine lot, and a beautiful baptizing place 
opposite ; the whole exhibiting an enterprise worthy of 
the means of the society. It is decidedly the best house 
which I visited in the south part of the State. There 
are 92 pews, seating 600, which is the number of the 
CQngregation, averaging 400. The minister is sustained 



40 

by pew rents. They have a population of 2,000. The 
deacons are N. C. Peckham and N. C. Armstrong. 

The Second is built on the same road six miles south- 
west, in Perryville, the ancestry place of the Erie Perry. 
It was erected in 1845 and is 28 by 38 feet, has an 
orchestra and 26 pews, seating 300, congregation 150, 
averaging 100, and is valued at $1,500. There is a 
population of 310 in their vicinity. Their minister is 
sustained by subscription. The deacons are Joseph W. 
Brown and Edward H. Peckham. This church promis- 
es well, and needs encouragement. They have a prop- 
erty, as per tax list, of ^34,000 only. 

The Third is located in the north-west corner of the 
town, in the village of Usquepaug, on Queen's River, 
was built in 1 849, having a tower, and orchestra, and is 
in dimensions 32 by 40 feet ; it has 34 pews on the 
floor seating 300. It cost ^1.200. This church 
should lay themselves out for Christ and souls. Their 
congregation numbers 125, and averages 60. The pews 
are rented, but the pastor sustains himself chiefly by his 
manual industry, which no church should allow. How 
much better could he have the privilege of studying that 
his profiting might appear unto all, and his congregation 
be trained to intelligence and an active piety. The 
building is estimated at ^1.200, and is well situated. 
The deacons are J. T. Hopkins and Benjamin Lock. 

Each of these edifices is free from debt, and appears 
to advantage to the traveller ; but it is to be regretted 
that there is so little taste manifested in some other sec- 
tions, where there is equal, and much greater means. 
The neat church in the New England village has been 
justly spoken of as its ornament; certainly it is its safe- 
ty, if it be duly improved. 



41 

There is at Kingston Hill an interesting Academy, in- 
stituted by the Congregationalists, which is now under 
very favorable auspices. Rev. Joel Mann has been mainly 
instrumental in its organization and success. Such in- 
stitutions, when like this, conducted in a catholic spirit 
are the safeguards of the age, and in no way so benefi- 
cially to the community can property be devoted, for if 
we can educate our youth properly, under God, we may 
expect the happiest results in society at large, as well as 
in domestic circles. 

Westerly, embraces the land in the south western 
section of the State. It was purchased of the Indians, 
(by whom it was known by the name of Misquamicut,) 
in 1665, and was constituted a township in May, 1669, 
bearing the name of AVesterly, from its geographical 
position. At the time of its purchase it comprehended 
all the land at present included withia its present, and 
the boundaries of the respective towns of Charlestown, 
Richmond, and Hopkinton. Although its southern 
boundary is the Long Island Sound, the Pawcatuck 
river now forms its western and northern, and the town 
of Charlestown its eastern limit. Its population is 
3500, and the estimation of its property is ^1.500.000. 
The enterprise of its citizens and especially in the vil- 
lage at the Bridge where the citizens pass from their 
own into the territory of Connecticut, and their economy 
and general habits will ensure it a constantly increasing 
prosperity. 

There are in this town two Sabbatarian Baptist houses 
seating 600, and valued at ^^6.200 ; one Christian Society's 
accommodating 300, and appraised at ^$3.500 ; one 
Episcopal providing for 300, with a property esti- 
mated at j^5.000 ; one Methodist occupying the building 



42 

known as the " Union," which seats 400, and is valued 
at ^4.500 ; and three Associated Baptists. 

At Lottery Village, five miles from Long Island Sound, 
there is a neat building belonging to the Baptist Church. 
It has a tower, orchestra, and 31 pews, and measures 
26 by 36 feet. It was built in 1849 at a cost of $L200, 
and is capable of seating 250 persons. The congrega- 
tion is 150 averaging 25. Notwithstanding the Pawca- 
tuck river runs on the western shore of the entire place 
and the water is very bold, the village is in the wane. 
At present the Bridge Village takes the business of the 
region, but there is every reason to anticipate that ere 
long active shipbuilding, or some manufacturing enter- 
prise will be introduced, by which it will greatly in- 
crease. On this account it is an object to sustain the 
church, at least moderately, that it die not. There are 
now but 250 inhabitants belonging to the village, sever- 
al of whom are absent at sea. Their deacon, Lyman 
Hall, in the absence of a pastor, labors to maintain 
preaching every other Sabbath ; and on the alternate 
Sabbaths he holds a prayer meeting. As they report 
their property at ^25.000, and as evidently prayer is 
wont to be offered there, we may hope they will yet live. 
The village, it is said, derived its name from the fact 
that the original owner of the land obtained a grant for 
a lottery, and having laid it out into house lots, put 
them up and drew them out in the form of prizes, the 
successful tickets entitling the holders to the lots repre- 
sented by their numbers. 

The Church at the Bridge is surrounded by a popula- 
tion of 2.000. It was erected in 1845, and with their 
parsonage is valued at ^6.000. Its dimensions are 38 
by 62 feet ; it has a tower, bell, orchestra, vestries, and 



43 

66 pews seating 450. The congregation is reported 
450, 300 being the average attendance. The pastor is 
sustained by subscription. The deacons are J. R. Vin- 
cent, T. H. Vincent, J. T. Thurston, and A. Buel. They 
have no debt. They are united and zealous, temperate, 
and promote useful education in all its forms. They 
have an interesting religious feeling prevailing among 
them, and are an able and very efficient church. 

In the north-east corner of the town, at Doorville is 
another house, called the " Niantic," erected in 1851, 
28 by 38 feet, and estimated at ^1.000 ; it is finished 
with a tower, and has 38 slips seating 200. They have 
a debt of ^^fllO. The congregation is 100, and averages 
60. The deacon is George W. Champlin. The popula- 
tion in its vicinity is about 500. The Society, although 
they possess not exceeding ^12.000, are willing to pay 
liberally to sustain the gospel among them. There is now 
another factory in process of erection in this place, the 
owner of which said to his Superintendent, "I am not a 
resident, but never fail to put my name to any sum you 
put to your own." The village is increasing. The loca- 
tion of the church is in a neat lot ; the whole impression 
upon my mind was favorable. The superintendent, 
who is altogether the wealthiest man in the church, 
named to me that a clergyman said to him while yet a 
boy, as he was passing down the Narragansett bay, "My 
boy, if you will, you can make a man." He said his 
heart at once responded, "Then a man will I be." And 
a man he has become indeed in the world, and also in 
Christ as I trust. 

Charlestown, which lies east of Westerly, was taken 
therefrom in August, 1738, and constituted a town- 
ship, and named Charlestown in honor of Charles II. 



44 

who granted the late State Charter ; an instrument of 
almost two hundred years power, which was, and is, and 
ever will remain the true exponent of liberty, con- 
science, and right. If it had faults, it had virtues too ; 
such as the world never saw before ; virtues which gov- 
ernments must acknowledge and incorporate in their 
systems of government, or they cannot govern. 

Charlestown is mainly an agricultural district, but its 
farms being principally owned abroad, will account for 
the fewness of its population. They are to a large ex- 
tent tenants, and hence in all the town, large as it is, 
there are reported only 1.000 people, upon a property 
of ;$f 3 22.000. Within the boundaries of this town is 
the Indian settlement, the last of the powerful Narra- 
gansetts, real or mixed, numbering however at this time 
not more than one hundred souls. Their house of wor- 
ship seats 150, and is valued at ;^200. There is also a 
Free will Baptist house seating 250, and valued at 
^1.500. 

The Associated Baptist Meeting-house was built in 
1840 on the post road eight miles south-west from the 
Second South Kingston church, and is in dimensions 34 
by 40 feet ; having an orchestra and 40 pews, the whole 
valued at ^^1.500. It is a neat building, having a large 
open lot, and is well situated. It will seat 300, and is 
not in debt. The congregation is 100, averaging 75. 
The deacon is Bowen Briggs. Some 350 people live in 
the region of the house ; a region sadly injured by the 
use of spirituous liquors, as too many of our towns and 
cities bear fearful and appalling evidence ; but neverthe- 
less the people there should be encouraged; our ef- 
forts in this place we liave reason to hope will not lie in 
vain. 



45 

North and South Kingston and the two preceding 
towns lie upon the Narragansett Bay and Long Island 
Sound, and afford beautiful scenery. The large ponds 
of water flowing in from the ocean, that stretch along 
the southern boundary of Charlestown, are objects of 
great interest. And when the permanent inhabitants 
shall become the owners of the large and fertile farms 
that lie upon their shores, as I think they ultimately 
will, we may look for better religous influences in this 
section. The Convention has done a good and most 
valuable service for this entire line, and the pastor is 
prudently, but efficiently carrying out its instructions. 

KiCHMOND was a part of Charlestown until incorpor- 
ated into a separate township in August, 1747 ; it con- 
tains a population of 1.800, with a property appraised 
at ^600.000. There is a Seventh-day Baptist house 
seating 450, and valued at 1.600 and a Six Principle or 
General Baptist, accommodating 500, with a valuation 
of 1.500. 

The Associated Baptist house, measuring 80 by 38 
feet, is put down as seating 400, and at a value of ^1000, 
much more than it is worth, unless this is the appraisal 
of its lot of ground. It was erected in 1785, and is 
tottering through the infirmities of age, not having been 
nursed in its strength. Either it was built in the woods, 
a mile and more from the present villages, or else the 
people have removed from it; certainly it should be taken 
down, having served its generations sufficiently, and a 
new one put up in the neighborhood of Kenyon's, 
Clark's, and Shannock's mills, three villages in near 
proximity with each other, having together at least 600 
people within their influence, but where there is no 
house of public worship. The minister is sustained by 



46 

subscription. He labors under every disadvantage, not 
however because, as I presume, the ancient edifice is in 
debt, for there is no such incumbrance. And yet this 
people report some ^60.000 in the congregation, nearly 
one half of which is owned among the church members. 
The same report speaks well of the practical influence of 
temperance, and of the population generally ; — and I saw 
no reason why they should not at once arise and build a 
house for Christ, in which the people who have no car- 
riages to ride in, (which is true of the major part,) 
can assemble and be comfortable ; for they do not now as- 
semble in windy weather, because their house is open and 
cold, nor in the storm, for if they should, they could not 
keep it dry because of the rain that penetrates within. 
This field, I regard as one which ought to receive our 
immediate attention, and as one of great promise. The 
congregation is now only 80, averaging 50, when it 
might be hundreds. The deacon is J. Briggs. 

HoPKiNTON, lying west from Richmond, and north of 
Westerly, a second division of Westerly, was incorpo- 
rated in March, 1757. It contains 2.500 inhabitants, 
and not less than ^700.000 in property. There are two 
societies of Friends, whose houses seat 300, and are 
valued at ;^ 1.500 ; three Seventh-day Baptist, seating 
1.600, with a property of ^10.500 ; one Methodist ac- 
commodating 200, and estimated at ^1.200; and two 
Regular Baptist. 

First. At Hopkinton city, the house is 30 by 40 
feet, having a tower, orchestra, and 32 pews. It seats 
150, and is estimated at ^1.500 ; it has a congregation of 
60, averaging 40 ; it was built in 1836. There is a 
population of 250, among whom the Seventh-day con- 
gregation numbers 125, and the two Friends, 50. The 



47 

Associated members are valued at ;^3 1.000, and the So- 
ciety in addition ^32.000. The deacons are Oliver D. 
Cole, and Robert Palmer. Many of the population in 
the interior attend service in the city village. The min- 
ister deceased during the past season. They support 
the house by subscription. They have no debt. 

Second. The other church house, built in 1845, is 
situated in " Locust village," seven miles north, join- 
ing Brand's Iron Works, and is in a good location, 
having in the rear a beautiful baptizing pond. It is 34 
by 45 feet, having tower, orchestra, vestries, sheds, bell, 
and 50 pews, (and no debt,) at a cost of ^5.000. It seats 
3^0 persons, and the congregation is 300, averaging 
150. They rent their pews. The deacons are W. R. 
Greene and James C. Baker. It is an interesting church, 
exerting a wholesome influence. A revival of religion 
is enjoyed by them this autumn. 

I have now compiled the facts touching the seven 
towns in Washington County. It will be seen that the 
population numbers 17.600; that there are houses of 
worship to accommodate 14.355 ; that the property in- 
vested in church building is ^105,500 ; and that the to- 
tal valuation of the several towns amounts to ^6.822.000. 
In very many neighborhoods there is little attention 
given to christian obligation, and fields are numerous 
for christian labor ; a section of country affording 
abundant evidence to prove that such effort will fully 
reward the expenditure that ought there to be made. 

Bristol County, formed in 1740. 
Bristol was incorporated in January 174G and in 
February became the county-town. It has a population 
of 5.000, and a capital of ^3.400.000. It has six meet- 



48 

ing-houses for public worship. The Episcopal seats 
900, and is valued at ^15.000; the Methodist accom- 
modates 700, and is rated at ^3.000 ; the Congregation- 
al provides for 800, and the church property is put 
down at ^17.650 ; the Christian has room for 400, and 
property worth ;^3.500, and the Colored has 120 seats, 
and a valuation of j$f500. 

The meeting-house of the First Baptist Church was 
built of stone, on High street, in 1814, and is in dimen- 
sions 45 by 65 feet, having a tower, bell, orchestra, or- 
gan and two vestries, 68 pews on the floor, and is free 
from debt. It is a substantial edifice, beautifully fres- 
coed and cost ^10.000. It will seat 500, their congre- 
gation being 400, averaging 150. The deacons are 
Heuben Oatley and George Fish. They have hereto- 
fore had numerous difficulties to encounter, but their 
prospects are now encouraging, and I trust they are des- 
tined to be favored abundantly of the Lord. 

Warren, incorporated in Jan. 1746, with its 3.300 
inhabitants, has four edifices devoted to public worship. 
The Methodist have a flourishing church, their house 
seating 1.000, and valued at ^14.000. The Episcopal 
is rated at 600 seats, and in property ^13.000 ; and the 
Koman Catholic, opened since the census of 1850, is put 
down at 300 seats, and their house at ^700. 

The house of the regular Baptists is situated on the 
corner of Main and Miller streets, built of stone, 70 by 
84 feet, with a tower 23 feet square, and is in style the 
Medium Gothic, having 146 pews on the floor, an 
orchestra, and seats 900 ; it is furnished with an organ, 
bell, and church furniture every way corresponding with 
such a noble structure. The building contains besides 
the audience room, a lecture, committee, study and other 



49 

rooms of like appropriate character ; it was erected in 
184-4 on a lot of land 145 feet square, tastefully arranged 
and beautifully decorated, at a cost of ;^ 18.000 ; it has 
no debt. The estimated value of property is ;^20.000. 
The congregation numbers 750, and the average atten- 
dance in ordinary weather, the standard adopted for 
every church, 500. The minister is sustained partly by 
a fund, but principally by voluntary subscription. The 
late pastor, Hev. Robert A. Fyfe, resigned in July, hav- 
ing performed an excellent ministry of the word among 
them. They are now destitute. Tiie deacons are Ste- 
phen Mason, Stillman Welch, Lewis Howe, and Jacob 
Sanders. This is an able and efficient church and so- 
ciety, and an honor to religion and humanity. 

It was in this town that the Rhode- Island College, 
founded in 1764, held its first commencement. The 
Warren Institute for young ladies, and the Warren 
Classical School for young men, are in the immediate 
neighborhood of this church, and share largely in the 
sympathies of this people. The estimate of property in 
the town is ^2.000.000, 

Barrington, which was separated from Warren on 
account of the difficulty of passing the Warren river, 
and incorporated into a distinct township in June 1770, 
has a population of 900, and a property of ^^600. 000. 
It has only one religious interest, a Congregational 
church, whose meeting-house is valued at ^^7.000 ; it 
will accommodate 500 persons. This house has been 
recently repaired and ornamented with a tower and 
other improvements. The congregation, it is said, is 
prosperous. 

The aggregate amount of real and personal estate in 
Bristol County is estimated at ^6.000,000 ; its popula- 



50 

tion at 9.200, and the number of seats in its houses of re- 
ligious service 6.720, valued at ;^104.350. It is a section 
of country possessing much interest ; its scenery is beau- 
tiful, and its commercial and manufacturing advantages 
are great. A rail-road is under contract, to run north 
and south from Providence, and to terminate in Bristol. 
The education of youth is diligently pursued, and temper- 
ance, and morals in general, are maintained. The in- 
habitants are in the main enterprising and industrious, 
and a good christian spirit prevails among the churches. 
We may hope to receive here a rich harvest for the 
glorious husbandman. 

County of Kent, incorporated in 1750. 

This section was a part of Providence County until 
June, 1750. 

East Greenwich, its county town, was originally a 
tract of land in the Narragansett country south of War- 
wick, which upon the application of its inhabitants be- 
came a township in October 1677. It was extended to 
the western line of the Colony in October 1 706, and di- 
vided in April 1741 into another township which was 
named West Greenwich. It has a population of 2.500, 
and is estimated in property at ^800.000. There is an 
Episcopal Church seating 350, and valued at ^5.000 ; 
a Friend's, holding 400, and appraised at ^^3.000 ; a 
Methodist accommodating 400, and valued at j^5.000 ; 
and one Associated Baptist seating 470, congregation 
250, average 150. The house, built in 1846 46 by 
60 feet, has a debt of ^700. It is finished with 
tower, orchestra, bell, organ, 80 pews, and is valued at 
^4.500. The deacon is James Tilley, The pews are 
rented. It is a good house, well located, and is an im- 



51 

portant station, having a large surplus of population 
who worship not in any regular place. They have re- 
cently settled a pastor. In the village there is a self- 
sustaining Literary Academy which promises great good 
to the community at large, under the direction of the 
Methodist Episcopal denomination. 

There is also in the interior at French-town, so called, 
a building styled the " Seminary," estimated to seat 
200, and in valuation ^500. In this house and also in 
an old meeting-house at Noose Neck Hill, in West 
Greenwich, the Warwick and East Greenwich Baptist 
Church, numbering 80 members, hold service once a 
month. The deacons are W. Spencer, G. Bailey and 
D. H. Wightman. 

AVest Greenwich, a portion of East Greenwich, in- 
corporated as a township in April 1741, has 1.400 in- 
habitants and a property appraised at ^453.000. There 
is at Noose Neck Hill a meeting-house occupied by the 
Associated Baptists as just stated, estimated to seat 600, 
and valued at ;^ 1.000. The congregation numbers 100, 
and averages 50. There is another occupied by the 
Old Baptists, seating 300, and valued at ^500. The 
Rev. John Tillinghast holds religious services regularly 
at private houses, his church, the West Greenwich Bap- 
tist Church, having no house. There is an Old Baptist 
Church of 67 members, and a Free Will Baptist of 65 
members, who also in these houses conduct public wor- 
ship. The deacons of the Associated Baptist Church 
are Josiah Greene and Allen Tillinghast. 

Warwick was purchased by Samuel Gorton and 
others, of the Indian Narragansett Sachem Myantonomy, 
Jan. 1 2th, 1342-3, and named in honor of the Earl 
of Warwick, who gave them his friendly protection. 



52 

It embraced originally what now forms the County of 
Kent The present division, now properly the town of 
Warwick, contains 8.000 inhabitants and $3,500,000 
of property. There are four Six-Principle Baptist houses, 
seating 1030, and appraised at $3,500 ; three Free Will 
Baptist accommodating 550, and valued at ;^3.200 ; one 
Congregational seating 250, and valued at $1,500; one 
Friends, holding 100, and put down at $250 ; one Sweed- 
enborgian providing for 75 and at a cost of $400 ; one 
Roman Catholic accommodating 600, and valued at 
$1,000 ; two Episcopal holding 350, and appraised at 
$1.800 ; one Methodist seating 370, and valued at 
$2,000 ; one Union said to hold 400, and estimated at 
$2,500 ; and four Associated Baptists. The house of 
the Gortonites, if in being, is near Old Warwick Centre. 
The First Baptist Church was built at Crompton 
Mills in 1843 ; its dimensions are 40 by 60 feet. It has 
a tower, orchestra, vestry, bell, and 64 pews, which they 
rent ; its property is estimated at $2.500 ; it has a debt 
of $300. It will hold 470, has a congregation of 175, 
the average attendance of which is 75. The church owns 
a parsonage valued at $800. The deacon is Pardon Spen- 
cer. These are good premises, but the foreign population 
has been so extensively introduced as to afford serious 
impediments to the efforts of the church. I trust they 
will labor to give to the new comers the Gospel also. 
Has not God sent them among us to receive good at our 
hands. Their souls are equally precious with ours, and 
without repentance toward God and faith in our Lord 
Jesus Christ, 

" No bleeding bird, nor bleeding beast, 
Nor hyssop branch, nor sprinkling priest, 
Nor running brook, nor flood, nor sea, 
Can wash the dismal stain away." 



53 

The Lippitt and Phenix meeting-house was built in 
Phenix village January 1842. It is 36 by 48 feet, with 
tower, bell, orchestra, organ, vestry, and 56 pews, 
which are rented, with the proceeds of which and sub- 
scriptions the minister is maintained. It cost ,$3,000. 
It has a debt of ^1.800, provided for by stock at 5 
per cent. A parsonage has been built the past year. 
The congregation is 300, averaging 165. The house 
seats 400. The deacons are J. B. Tanner and J. Bailey, 
There are 5.000 people in the community, a large pro- 
portion of whom are foreigners. The temperance pledge 
of entire abstenance from alcoholic liquors is a condition 
of membership, it being one of the articles of their cov- 
enant. This has been one of the most promising 
churches, but difficulties have long existed among them. 
There is now a better prospect. I have spent two Sab- 
baths, and in connection with Rev. Wm. Coggswell sev- 
eral other days, endeavoring to remove these difficulties, 
and I trust with divine favor. Most of those who had 
been heretofore active in the church, have returned to 
their communion. Situated in a pleasant country and 
surrounded with many things attractive, it is expected 
that the members of this church will continue to fulfil 
the high expectations that are indulged concerning them, 
and which have been heretofore so liberally redeemed. 
The Rev. Mr. Coggswell, who added greatly to their 
strength and usefulness by his counsels, has removed to 
Minesota ; in his departure Rhode-Island loses a valu- 
able minister who has not failed to do all he could to 
advance the interests of our Zion. 

Near to this interest and on the same branch of the 
Pawtuxet river is the village of Natic. The meeting- 
house was erected by Gov. W. Sprague in 1839, and 



54 

was long styled the " Union." It is now rented by 
him to the Natic Baptist Church. It is 40 by 54 feet, 
and has a tower, bell, orchestra, vestry, and 58 pews. 
Its value is ^2,500. Some 1500 people live in the neigh- 
borhood. The house seats 400, congregation is 275, 
averaging 200. The pastor is sustained by pew rents 
and subscriptions. The deacons are Christopher War- 
ren, Smith W. Pearce, and Henry A. Bowen. This 
church, it is believed, is one of much hope. 

In near proximity to this community there is the 
Point village, and the new one now building by Gov. 
Sprague called Wakefield, which united with the Point, 
presents an inviting field of labor not yet improved by 
any denomination. A member living in Centerville, has 
in reserve a lot of land for a Baptist Church, well sit- 
uated for such a building. 

Some seven miles east is another of the Churches of 
the Associated Baptists, called the " Shawomut Baptist 
Church of Old Warwick." They worship in the house 
belonging to the Old Baptists, who very seldom oc- 
cupy it. it was erected in 1829. It measures 34 by 
42 feet, and is valued at j$f800. It will seat 300, has a 
congregation of 100, averaging 80. The pastor is sus- 
tained by subscription. The deacon is B. Green. The 
church owns a neat parsonage upon which there is a 
debt of ^400. It cost $\,500. There is no other meet- 
ing in this part of the town, and hence it is a light- 
house the lamp of which should be kept filled, trimmed 
and burning. 

Coventry, incorporated in August 1741, was set off 
from AVarwick. It contains 3,800 inhabitants and a 
valuation in property of ^1,800,000. There are three 
Six Principle Baptist's houses seating 600, and valued 



55 

at ^2,250 ; one Congregational accommodating 300 and 
estimated at ^1,500; and two Associated Baptists, 

The Central Baptist Meeting-house, built in Wash- 
ington village in 1839, measures 36 by 50 feet, will 
seat 400, and is valued at ;$f 1,500. The congregation 
is 400, averaging 200. It has 50 pews. Also a debt 
of ^330. It has an orchestra. The population in the 
vicinity is 1000. For years this church and its minis- 
ter, Rev. Albert Sheldon, have been connected with the 
General Baptists, but during the last year they have uni- 
ted with the Associated Baptists. — A valuable accession. 
The deacons are Jesse Wood and Edwin Johnson. They 
support their minister by subscription. 

The Quidnic Baptist meeting-house was built in 
1808; it is 40 by 60 feet, having galleries, vestry, and 
70 pews on the floor. It will seat 700 and is valued at 
only 1000, it being much out of repair. The congrega- 
tion is 225, averaging 180. It has a debt of ^200. 
The meeting-house lot is large and valuable. The dea- 
con is Oliver Howard. This house is situated in the 
centre of a large population, and is such an important 
station that it should be immediately put in order. A 
generous individual has offered to contribute one half 
of the entire expense, if the other can be obtained. — 
This proposition will be sabmitted to the consideration 
of your Board of INIanagers by the pastor of this church. 

The County of Kent according to the foregoing esti- 
mates has a population in the four towns that consti- 
tute it of 15,700; for whom there are provided 9,415 
seats in public worship, at a valuation of ^47, 700, with 
an aggregate property of ^6,533,000. In this county 
there exist a large number of manufacturing interests, 
owned by residents in various places, but chiefly in 



56 

Providence and vicinity. These owners it may be do 
not realize their responsibilities to their operatives, or to 
the county at large. It will be of vital importance in 
their future account, (for every man shall give account 
of himself to God,) to have looked after not only their 
own pecuniary emolument, but also to the moral tone 
which they have given to society by the introduction of 
proper help into their manufacturing interests, and by 
the proper cultivation of their minds when thus located. 
In this County their is ample room for the introduc- 
tion of useful knowledge of every character, and for re- 
ligious culture in the various villages, of which is is com- 
posed. In this county our ancestors evidently went 
to the other extreme in the moral education of their chil- 
dren. But let no one complain of the laws of Rhode- 
Island because they compel no one to perform religious 
homage contrary to his own wishes ; the fault lies not 
in the absence of legal merits, but in the want of a 
faithful parental culture. And further, we have all the 
law that necessity requires. For " all profaneness and 
immorality are furnished by the laws made to suppress 
them ; and while these laws are well executed, specula- 
tive opinions or modes of worship can never disturb or 
injure the peace of a State that allows all its subjects 
an equal liberty of conscience. Indeed it is not variety 
of opinions, or separation in worship, that makes disor- 
ders and confusions in government, for in both these 
there is great safety. But " it is the unjust, unnatural 
and absurd attempt to force all to be of one opinion, or 
to feign and dissemble that they are." 

Providence County, incorporated in 1729. 
I have already described two of the townships that 
were connected with this County at the time of its or- 



57 

ganization ; viz. East Greenwich and Warwick. Prov- 
idence in that year included the present County, save 
the town of Cumberland. In the following year Provi- 
dence was divided into four townships^ and since then 
its territory has been divided into nine towns, which 
with its own incorporation as a city, and the addition of 
Cumberland, make ten separate and distinct organiza- 
tions. I proceed to give account of these in the same 
manner as 1 have done of the towns in the other coun- 
ties. 

Providence in May, 1730, was formed into four 
townships, which were styled Providence, Smithfield, Glo- 
cester, and Scituate. Providence, by the repeated di- 
vision of its boundaries, has become reduced to a small 
district, smaller than any other geographical assign- 
ment in the State. I shall defer an account of its 
present condition until I have completed the remain- 
ing nine. 

Cumberland denominated the " Gore of land" prior 
to the royal annexation of George II, was incorporated 
in January, 1746, and added to this county in the month 
following. It is the northern town ; it has a population 
of 7000, and a property of ^3,300,000. It contains a 
Universalist house, seating 500, and appraised at $8,000; 
two Methodist, accommodating 650, and valued at 
$8,500 ; a Roman Catholic, providing seats for 1,100, 
and an estate of $7,000 ; a Friend's, having room for 
250 at a cost of 1,000 ; and three Associated Baptists. 

The Woonsocket house, erected in 1833, measures 42 
by 90 feet. It stands near the rail-road station, and is 
finished with a tower, bell, orchestra, vestry, 76 pews, 
and is valued at ^6.000. It seats 500, the congregation 
being 400 and averaging 300 ; the population in the 



68 

vicinity is 6.000. The pastor is sustained by rents of peWs. 
They have no debt. The deacons have resigned and 
different persons officiate in the office. It is a very im- 
portant field and is worthy of our continued affection ; 
a child of the Convention, may the church never cease 
to own its relationship and to aid in the education of 
other children in like manner adopted. 

The Cumberland Hill House, measuring 40 by 50 
feet, was built in 1844, having 54 pews. It seats 300 
persons, has a congregation of 125, averaging 90 ; it is 
finished with tower, bell, orchestra, vestries, is val- 
ued at ^4.000, and is out of debt. Seventy families live 
within one mile of the premises. They have a fund for 
ministerial support amounting to ^^700, the interest of 
which with tile pew rents and subscriptions they devote 
to this purpose. The deacon is Abner Ballou. There 
is in this region great room for improvement in temper- 
ance and Sabbath observance. Very many attend no 
religious services. The pastor speaks of four baptisms 
this year. The funds of the Convention can be well ex- 
pended at this place until the ability of this abundantly 
able community can be drawn forth for the entire sus- 
tenance of the interest. 

The Valley Falls house is situated in the Valley 
Village, on the Cumberland side. It was built in 
1840, is 45 by 65 feet, and seats 400 ; it has a 
congregation of 200, averaging 150. It is furnished 
with a tower, bell, orchestra, organ, vestry, and 76 pews, 
at a cost of ;^7,000. A heavy debt of ^5,000, and some 
ministerial arrearages, greatly depress the church. They 
report in both church and society, only about $24,000. 
The pastor is supported by rent of pews and subscrip- 



59 

tion. The deacons are Amos Babcock and Otis Ingra- 
ham. Numerous removals from the village have oc- 
curred, and foreigners fill their places. It is hoped, 
however, that a change in this respect will be effected, and 
that the Board will in some manner enable them yet to 
retain their house. 

Smithfield was a division of Providence in May, 1730. 
It has a population of 1 2,000, and an estate of $1 , 1 00,000. 
There are three Episcopal houses, seating 1,100 at a 
cost of $18,000, (two Friends providing for 900, in valua- 
tion $2,500;) one Methodist, accommodating 225, and 
valued at $1,800 ; one Free Will Baptist, holding 480, 
at a cost of $1,200; two Congregationalists, seating 
1500, at a valuation of $18,000 ; and three Associated 
Baptists. 

Central Falls Baptist house seats 500, and is es- 
timated at ;^7,000. It is a fine building, erected in 
184-1, measuring 45 by 65 feet, having a tower, bell, or- 
chestra, organ, vestry and 76 pews, and is well located. 
The congregation is 400, averaging 300. The minister 
is sustained by pew rents and subscriptions. They have 
a debt of ;$250. The deacons are Preston Grant and 
German P. Thurber. It is a church of great promise. 
Rev. John Blain has become their pastor ; he is greatly 
encouraged by the deep religious feeling existing among 
the people. 

Lonsdale house was built in 1 840, seats 400, and cost 
;^3,000. It measures 40 by 50 feet, and is finished with 
tower, bell, organ, vestries and 58 pews. It has no 
debt. The congregation is 200. averaging 125. There 
is here a community of 1,100. The deacons are David 
Clark and W. Robinson. There is also an Episcopal 



66 

house and a large foreign population in the vicinity. 
It is a manufacturing village of considerable note. Rev. 
W. Phillips, a brother beloved, supplies them. They 
sustain the ministry by pew rents. 

Lime Rock and Albion house has provisions for 250 
persons and is estimated at ^^1,500. It was erected in 
1836, and measures 40 by 60 feet. It is situated on a 
hill some half mile from the village, and two miles from 
the Albion. It is believed that a removal of the house 
to the village below, would be the means of increasing 
the usefulness of the church. It has a tower, orchestra, 
and 50 pews, and is free from debt. The minister is 
maintained by subscription. There are more than 1,000 
people in the vicinity. The congregation is 100, aver- 
aging 50. The deacon is Ebenezer Joe. Worship is held 
in the Albion village once on the Sabbath. Here there 
is a large agricultural, as well as manufacturing commu- 
nity. The people are wealthy, and ere long a new and 
independent interest should be sustained at both villages. 
Rev, D. M. Burdick of Tiverton has removed hither 
and become the pastor of this congregation. 

Glocester, one of the first divisions of Providence, 
was incorporated in May, 1730, having a population of 
3,000, and an estate of ^1,000,000. There is a Con- 
gregational meeting-house, seating 328, at a cost of 
^3,500; an Union accommodating 211, and valued at 
;^500; a Free Will Baptist, providing for 412, and val- 
ued at ;$f3,800, and another society of the same de- 
nomination having no house but a congregation of 174. 

BuRRiLLViLLE was separated from Glocester and made 
a township in October, 1806. It contains a population 
of 3,600 and $1,000,000 in property. There is a Free 



61 

Will Baptist meeting-house seating 300, at a cost of 
^3,000 ; a Methodist holding 250, and valued at ;^2,400 ; 
and a Friend's accommodating 250, at a valuation of 

SoiTUATE, another portion of Providence, was consti- 
tuted a township in May, 1730. It has a population of 
5000, and property amounting to ^1,900,000. The 
Census records one Congregational house, seating 400 
and appraised at j^2,000 ; two Free Will Baptists accom- 
dating 750, with property at ^3,500 ; one Millerite house 
providing for 250 and valued at ;^150; two Six Prin- 
ciple Baptist holding 450 and appraised at ^2,000 \ 
and one Associated Baptist seating 200, and valued at 
;^800. The latter is situated on a beautiful lot, between 
Jackson and Fiske villages It has a tower, bell, orches- 
tra, and 52 pews. The church seems disheartened; in-- 
deed the Convention has never yet found much success 
at this station. Nevertheless for the present the church 
will hold a monthly meeting, and watch the movements 
of divine providence. The deacon is Benjamin Arnold 
who resides in the village of Phenix. There is a debt 
of ;$fl60, for which the premises are pledged. We may 
also add that there is in this town a Literary Institution, 
denominated the Smithville Seminary, which has al- 
ways been under the direction of the Free Will Bap- 
tists ; it furnishes advantages to all who desire to obtain 
a good English education. It is open to both sexes, 
without reference to any religious persuasion. Persons 
can also receive instruction in the Languages and clas- 
sical studies. 

Foster, formerly a part of Scituate, was made a town- 
ship in August, 1781. It has a population of 2000 inhabi- 



62 

tants and a property of ^577,000. There are two Free 
Will Baptist Meetiug-houses, the one seating 250 and 
valued at ^^f 1,200 the other accommodating 200, and in 
value ^800. 

Cranston, was the southern division of Providence 
as it remained after its incorporation in 1730. It was 
set off in June 1754. It has 7,000 inhabitants, and an 
estate of ^^2, 223,000. There is a Friend's meeting-house 
seating 200 and in value ^400 ; one Free Will Baptist, 
or South Benevolent Society accommodating 400, and 
appraised at ^1,200 ; one Congregational said to seat 
250, and in valuation ^1,200 ; one Free Will Baptist, 
seating 200, and estimated at ^600 ; and one Six Prin- 
ciple Baptist holding 500, and valued ^^ 1,200; and one 
Associated Baptist. 

The house of the Associated Baptists is situated in 
the north part of Pawtuxet village, having been erected 
in 1803. It measures 38 by 50 feet, seats 400, has a 
congregation of 300 averaging 150, and is estimated at 
^1,200. It has a tower and bell, galleries and 71 pews on 
the floor. There are in" the village 600 inhabitants. They 
sustain their minister by subscription, in the obtaining 
of which, and also for other services, they are under 
great obligation to the Rev. Job Manchester, a min- 
ister of the Six Principle Baptist order, and a resident in 
the village. The deacons are Remington Smith and 
Newell Lee, There is some special attention to religion 
prevailing in the congregation. They need a new house. 
The village has been greatly depressed, but there is great 
wealth among the residents and a brighter day evidently 
awaits them. 

Johnston, yet another division of Providence proper, 



63 

was incorporated in Febuary, 1759. Its population 
is 3,000, and its property ^1,200,000. There are three 
houses of the Six Principle Baptist's, seating 1,500, and 
valued at ;^9,000 ; one Episcopal accommodating 400, 
and valued at ^2,000 ; and one Free Will Baptist pro- 
viding for 900, at a cost of j$f6,000, located in western 
Olneyville. 

North Providence, the last division of Providence in 
1730, was incorporated into a distinct township in June^ 
1765. The south part, bordering on and taking in some 
part of the compact town, and against which there was 
a powerful opposition at the time of its constitution, was 
again annexed to the town of Providence in June, 1767. 
It has a population of 8,000, and property in valuation 
;^3, 600,000. There is one Congregational house seating 
600, and valued at ^7,000 ; two Episcopal, holding 900) 
and estimated at ;^12,o00; one Union, accommodating 
280 and valued at ^^3,000 ; a Roman Catholic put down 
at 950, and appraised at ^10,000 ; one Free Will Bap- 
tist, holding 250, and valued at ^1,500 , two Methodist 
providing for 500, at a cost of $5,000 ; and four Asso* 
ciated Baptists. 

The High Street Baptist house is situated in Paw- 
tucket village, measuring 56 by 64 feet, with an orches- 
tra adjoining on the north, of 14 by 30 feet. It was 
built 1830; valuation ;^2,000. It seats 600, has 
a congregation of 300, averaging 150, and is finished 
with tower and bell, galleries and organ, vestry and 103 
pews on the floor. It has also a large lot of land. The 
deacons are Olney Keach, Jabel Pall, Abner Polsy, and 
Pardon Allen. The Rev. A. Ross is at present preach- 
ing to them, and it is hoped the church which has been 



64 

for some months scattered will now be gathered with a 
sure prospect of their permanent organization. 

Near to the High Street stands the First Baptist 
Church, erected in 1842, at a cost of ^11,000; it is 
free from debt. It measures 61^ by 91 feet. It will 
seat 900, has a congregation of 500, averaging 300 ; it 
is furnished with vestries and 114 pews on the floor, 
galleries and organ, tower and bell ; from the rents 
of the pews with some subscription the pastor is sustain- 
ed. The deacons are Daniel Dunham, George P. Jenks, 
Stephen Benedict, and James Olney. The house is sub- 
stantial and ornamental. The Church is able and in- 
creasingly efficient. The field is large, numbering on 
both sides of the river 12 000 inhabitants. 

The Fruit Hill house measures 30 by 60 feet. It was 
built in 1819) seats 300, and is valued at ^2,000. It 
has 60 pews, with a congregation of 150, averaging 
80. Rev, John C. Welch of Providence, a minister long 
and favorably known in Rhode Island as a pastor, sup- 
plies their pulpit ; his labor is rewarded with tokens 
of good. This Church would probably increase their 
usefulness by the erection of a new house. The lot is 
large and finely situated, surrounded by the Fruit Hill 
village. A large agricultural district and several manu- 
facturing interests furnish them with sufficient encour- 
agement for such an enterprise. The Fruit Hill Classi- 
cal School, taught by Stanton Belden Esq. is also here. 
Mr. Belden's reputation as a teacher has ever stood high ; 
and the institution is worthy of a liberal patronage. 

The Allendale Baptist Church was built in 1847, 
about three fourths of a mile south west from the 
Fruit Hill house. It is situated in the village of Zacha- 



65 

riah Allen, Esq., a gentleman of high moral feeling, who 
contributes liberally towards the support of the church. 
The building measures 22 by 40 feet, has a tower, 
bell, vestry, and 27 pews, seats 250, and is esti- 
mated at j^ 1,800. The church report their congregation 
at 300, with an average of 150. They sustain the ministry 
by subscription. Julius E. Johnson, an unordained minis- 
ter, has supplied their pulpit on the Sabbath for two 
years. The deacon is Samuel C. Harrington. The popu- 
lation in the village is 300. 

In the nine towns enumerated as belonging to Provi- 
dence County there is a population of 50,600 inhabitants, 
for whom there are provided in houses of public wor- 
ship 23,886 seats, with an estimated value in church 
property of ^197.500, and with an aggregate of the per- 
sonal property and landed estates of ;^'20,000,000. 

In six of these towns, embracing a population of 23,600, 
we have only the house at Fiskeville in Scituate, now 
closed, and the congregation in Pawtuxet village, in the 
extreme south-east of Cranston ; in the large town 
of Smithfield with a population of 12,000, we are also 
but feebly represented, and the same can be said of Cum- 
berland. 

In five other towns in the State, containing a popu- 
lation of 5.900, we have no house of worship. Thus 
there are nine towns out of the thirty-one, having a pop- 
ulation of 16,900 inhabitants, among whom there are 
no organizations of any kind connected with our de- 
nomination. And yet these towns are increasing at a 
rapid rate annually. With devout gratitude that chris- 
tians of other denominations have carried the gospel to 
these sections, and with fervent prayer also that many, 



66 

very many souls may be given to them for their reward, 
I would nevertheless remark that, if we as Baptists 
mean to survive and do justice to the providence that 
gave to us as a people these lands, we should devote our 
best energies and means, at least for a season, mainly 
to the improvement of the heart of our denominational 
body ; and afterwards, having purified our moral blood 
and renewed our organic and muscular energy, we may 
be able to send forth moral life into other parts 
more effectually than we have ever done, and thus save 
ourselves from spiritual apoplexy, and aid also in pre- 
serving the souls of other people, and of the race at large, 
from the death that never dies. 

The Township of Providence, as has been remark- 
ed, embraced originally the entire lands that are now 
embraced in Providence county, save the town of Cum- 
berland, which before the settlement of 1746, was styled 
" The Gore of land." It was divided in May, 1730, and 
incorporated into four townships. It was lessened again 
in June, 1754, by the formation of Cranston; and in 
February, 1759, by the setting off of Johnston; and in 
June, 1765-7, by the establishment of North-Providence; 
leaving the boundaries in 1767 as they are at present 
described, viz ; about 2 J miles in average breadth and 
about 3^ miles in average length. Thus Providence gave 
away eight towns, each larger than itself, contribu- 
ting to Providence County nine towns, which with Cum- 
berland, make the ten towns, its present number. But 
notwithstanding it has thus furnished territory for all 
the large towns around, it has nevertheless nearly one 
third of the entire population of the State, and a num- 
ber equal to all its immediate derivatives ; about one 



67 

third of the accommodations for public worship ; and 
more than one third of the reported wealth or proper- 
ty. For, as is supposed, fifty-thousand people reside in 
the city proper, having 32,400 seats in houses of relig- 
ious meetings, and representing ^37,500,000 : — statistics 
varying somewhat from those quoted by myself from the 
books to my teacher Liberty Rawson, Esq., when a boy 
at the Brick Free School-house in Meeting-street, forty 
years since, and ten years after the establishment of 
Free Schools in the State. At that time in 1810 Prov- 
idence had a population of 10,071, and a property 
amounting to ^3,509,000. Now she has a property 
amounting to ^^37, 500, 000, besides the vast estates held 
by her citizens within thirty miles, north, south and 
west, which include very much of the capital properties 
credited to the towns where they are located. Then 
the town tax was fifty-seven cents on one hundred dol- 
Jars, in place of, under the city government, fifty-three 
cents, (this grand objection to a city government) when 
too the State had a population of 77,031, and not as now 
of 165,400 ; and a property of less than ;$f30,000,000, in 
place of ^91,375,000. In all probability the total 
amount of capital in Rhode Island for January, 1854, 
would equal if not exceed the sum of ;$f 100,000,000. 

City of Providence incorporated in Oct. 1831. 

The town of Providence became a city by an Act of 
incorporation passed by the General Assembly at their 
October session in 1831. Its first city ofl[icers were in- 
ducted into office in June, 1832. Gen. Samuel W. 
Bridgham became its first Mayor, retaining the office by 
repeated elections until December, 1839, when he died. 



68 

He was succeeded by Mr. Thomas M. Burgess, who 
officiated until 1852, when Mr. Amos C. Barstow was 
elected to the office. The present Mayor is Mr. 
Walter R. Danforth. The period of the town govern- 
ment of Providence has been one hundred and ninety- 
six years, and of the city government twenty-one years ; 
making a total of two hundred and seventeen years 
since its settlement. 

In February, 1800, mainly through the influence of 
the Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers in 
Providence, an Act was obtained from the General As- 
sembly, establishing in the State a system of Free Schools; 
the town was divided into four districts and four 
schools were established, one in each district. And 
these great blessings were never withheld from the citi- 
zens, although the State law was repealed in February, 
1703. In January, 1828, when the Public schools were 
re-established throughout the State by Legislative au- 
thority. Providence commenced its admirable system of 
Primary Schools in addition to those that had been con- 
tinued and multiplied from 1800. In 1839 the whole 
system \yas revised and improved, and spacious brick 
houses were erected, which still remain an honor to the 
intelligence of its citizens, the true guarantee of civil 
rights, and the source of constant prosperity to the in- 
creasing population. 

In this connection it is proper to mention the ex- 
ceedingly useful Institution of the Society of Friends, 
established in 1819 and located in the north-eastern por- 
tion of the city on Hope street. At this institution 
the youth of both sexes receive a thorough education in 
all the branches of regular science, and in the languages. 



69 

The grounds are spacious, the buildings are large and 
commodious, and adequate means are furnished for ex- 
ercise and other mediums of health and comfort. It is 
richly endowed by funds from estates of the late Oba- 
diah Brown, and his father, Moses Brown ; also by funds 
or donations from other benevolent patrons of the So- 
ciety, by whom its concerns are managed through Trus- 
tees and Committees of their appointment, and to whom 
regular reports of its condition are made at its annual 
meetings. This and other schools of a high character 
having been founded by this very worthy christian peo- 
ple, the youth of their families have reaped great ad- 
vantages. 

In this city also, the University of the State is located. 
Its premises are bounded by Waterman, Brown, George 
and Prospect streets, thus forming an entire square 
with the exception of a private residence on the corner of 
Prospect and George streets. It was founded in 176 J: 
and incorporated in February, of the same year. 

" As early as the year 1707, the Philadelphia Bap- 
tist Association, composed of the Baptist Churches in 
that vicinity, was formed," having in jiew the prosper- 
ity of the denomination in America. Among other ob- 
jects which that body favored, was an educated minis- 
try. And as the colleges then existing were under se- 
vere restrictions of a sectarian character, and as candidates 
for their ministry were often subjected to great embar- 
rassments, the plan was suggested to establish an insti- 
tution for their own young men, the advantages of which 
however should be made equally free to persons of all 
religious persuasions. The distinct project of such an 
establishment in this State, is conceded to the Rev. 



70 

^[organ Edwards, a distinguished Baptist minister of 
Wales, who arrived in this country in 1761, and soon 
after settled in Philadelphia as Pastor of the First Bap- 
tist Church in that city. Immediately after the plan of 
a college was attempted, Mr. Edwards made very vigor- 
ous efforts both in this country and in England to ob- 
tain books for its library, and funds for its endowment ; 
and he was mainly instrumental in obtaining its Char- 
ter. In 1762 the Philadelphia Baptist Association, hav- 
ing projected this institution, appointed Rev. James 
Manning, a recent graduate at Princeton, New Jersey, 
to visit Rhode Island and ascertain if this object would 
not receive the sympathies of the denomination in a 
State formed by men whose sentiments after its settle- 
ment had been developed as Baptist. In accordance 
with his instructions Mr. Manning visited Newport, and 
made known the plan and desires of the Association to 
the Governor and Deputy Governor residing in that 
town, and also to thirteen other gentlemen, all of 
whom were members of the Baptist churches then es- 
tablished in the place. From all of these gentlemen 
he at once received the most encouraging assurances. 
The question of the location of the College was the next 
in order. And as no funds had been raised, it seemed 
proper, at least in its beginning, that a town in which 
its presiding officer could officiate as pastor of a church, 
in order to secure in part a pecuniary support, would 
furnish the greatest security for the permanent success 
of the College. And as there were at that time some 
sixty Baptist communicants living in the town of War- 
ren, who were members of Baptist Churches in Swansea, 
Newport, and elsewhere, it was decided by the above 



71 

mentioned gentlemen, and the friends of the College 
generally, that Mr. Manning should take up his resi- 
dence in that town, and become pastor of a church, 
which it was also proposed should be constituted by 
these Baptist communicants. Accordingly in the sum- 
mer of 1 764 Mr. Manning removed to Warren, and on 
the 15th of November ensuing, the Baptist Church in 
that place was formed, and he became its first pastor. 
The exercises were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. John 
Gano of New York, Gardner Thurston of Newport, and 
Ebenezer Hinds of Middleborough. The sermon was 
delivered by Mr. Gano. In September 1765, Mr. Man- 
ning was elected President of the College, and continued 
to exercise his collegiate and pastoral duties for more 
than five years in that town. On the 7th of September, 
1769, the first Commencement was celebrated at AVarren, 
and seven young men took the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts. Up to this period there had been no public edifice 
erected for the accommodation of the College. The ex- 
ercises of Commencement awakened the sympathies of 
residents in many places in the Colony, who soon after 
that occasion, made applications to the Corporation for 
its permanent establishment within their boundaries. 
The towns of Warren, Providence, Newport, and East 
Greenwich, representing four counties of the State, all 
preferred their claims as presenting each respectively the 
most eligible situation. The towns of Providence and 
Newport were the two ablest competitors, the former^of- 
ering a subscription of £4:280, and the latter of £4000. 
February 7th, 1770, the Corporation by a vote of twenty- 
one to fourteen decided that the edifice should be built 
in Providence, and that there the College should bo con- 
tinued forever. Accordingly Mr. ManningJ removed to 



72 

Providence, and opened the institution in May, 1770, 
where all its exercises have since been held, with a tem- 
porary suspension only of some few years during the 
revolutionary war. 

The University received its present name in honor of 
its most liberal benefactor, the late Hon, Nicholas 
Brown of Providence, by a vote of the Corporation passed 
September 6, 1804. 

It will be seen from the foregoing statements that 
this University was projected and established by the 
Baptists, and that the Catholic spirit of its Charter Avas 
introduced because of the rigid sectarian character of 
the existing colleges. The College at first was in their 
own hands and might have remained under their control 
wholly. But under the circumstances they preferred 
that other denominations should be represented in the 
government of the institution. There were at that time 
when its Charter was granted, but four denominations 
of christians existing in the State, and from each of these 
a selection was made according to the numerical number 
of each. There were incorporated thirty-six Trustees, 
twenty-two of whom by the Charter, are to be forever 
Baptists ; five to be of the denomination called Friends, 
or Quakers ; four Congregationalists, and five Episcopa- 
lians. There is incorporated also another branch in the 
government, styled the Fellowship, consisting of twelve 
members, including the President, " eight of whom are 
to be Baptists, and the rest indefinitely of any or all de- 
nominations." The President must be a Baptist. 

Among the provisions of the Charter is the following : 
"That into this liberal and Catholic institution shall 
never be admitted any religious tests: But on the con- 



73 

trary all the members hereof shall forever enjoy full, 
free, absolute and uninterrupted liberty of conscience: 
And that the places of Professors, Tutors, and all other 
officers, the President alone excepted, shall be free and 
open for all denominations of Protestants : And that 
youth of all religious denominations shall and may be 
freely admitted to the equal advantages, emoluments, 
and honors of the College or University : And that the 
public teaching shall, in general, respect the sciences ; 
and that the sectarian differences of opinions shall not 
make any part of the public and classical instruction." 

In 1850 material changes were made in the system of 
instruction given at this institution ; the range of studies 
was greatly extended, and the sum of ^125,000 (raised 
by subscription mostly among the citizens of Provi- 
dence) was added to the College funds, thus augmenting 
them to about ^200,000. The College Library contains 
upwards of 25,000 choice and well selected volumes, and 
the Libraries of the Philermenian and United Brothers 
Societies connected with the University contain 6000 ad- 
ditional volumes, making 32,000 volumes in all. 

Brown University therefore, possessing ample college 
buildings, grounds, and funds, and having a large and 
excellent library, and being furnished with full supplies 
of apparatus in every department of science, and with 
competent instructers in ancient and modern learning, 
is adapted to the demands of a classical, mechanical, 
mercantile, moral, and physical education. From it 
have gone forth 1804 graduates, who have honored alike 
themselves and their Alma Mater in the various walks 
of professional life ; a very large number of individuals 
have also received partial instruction at this seat of learn- 

10 



74 

ing. The number of students or undergraduates now con- 
nected with the University is 283. From 1 827, President 
Wayland has presided over its various interests ; and 
during this period of twenty-eight years, a large num- 
ber of gentlemen occupying the learned professions and 
other equally useful stations in New England and else- 
where, have received their moulding under his efficient 
and most admirable training. 

This Institution has received the instructions of four 
Presidents. Its first, was its founder James Manning of 
Nassau Hall College, Princeton, who entered upon the 
duties of his office, September, 1765, and continued until 
his death, which occured at 4 o'clock, A. M, July 29th, 
1791, at his own residence. He was succeeded by Jona- 
than Maxcy of the class of 1787, who resigned in 1802, 
and who has since died. The same year, Asa Messer of 
the class of 1790, was elected to the presidency; he re- 
signed in 1826, and has since deceased. In 1827, Fran- 
cis Wayland, Jr., of Union College, became its presid- 
ing officer. 

No college has been conducted more faithfully on 
the principles recognized at its origin, than this. Young 
men of every religious persuasion, and even those who 
claimed to adhere to no persuasion whatever, have always 
found themselves perfectly at liberty to pursue their own 
views unrestricted by any undue influence from the Fac- 
ulty of instruction. The discipline has always compared 
favorably with that of kindred colleges ; and in no insti- 
tution are greater advantages aff'orded to students in 
every department of useful learning than are tendered to 
youth in this, and that too without regard to their de- 
nominational or religious preferences. 



75 

At the eighty-fifth anniversary of the Warren Asso- 
ciation, held in the town of Warren, Sept. 1 and 2, 
1S52, the twenty-second minute reads as follows, viz : 
" The Rev. H. Jackson presented the following 
preamble and resolutions, which, after an animated dis- 
cussion, participated in by the E,ev. H. Jackson, J. N. 
Granger, B, Miner, R. A. Fyfe, T. C. Jameson and Dr. 
Wayland, were unanimously adopted, viz : 

Whereas in the year 1764, the fathers of this Asso- 
ciation met in this town, the town of Warren, and 
founded Rhode Island College, now denominated Brown 
University, and commended the Institution to the pat- 
ronage of these and other churches ; therefore, 

Itesolved, First, That we, the members of this x\sso- 
ciation in 1852, cordially respond to the call of those 
fathers, and strongly sympathize with them in the great 
interests of that venerable seat of learning. 

Resolved, Second, That as the Warren Association at 
its first anniversary in the year 1 767, eighty-five years ago 
this month, solemnly consecrated the College, then in 
its infancy, to Science and the Church, we in our place 
do, on this 2d day of September, 1852, solemnly and 
heartily renew the Covenant then written and confirmed. 
And therefore, 

Resolved, Third, That we recommend this University 
to the deep sympathy and earnest prayers of the church- 
es of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great 
Head of the church, of whom the whole family in heaven 
and earth is named, that the young men, who there re- 
sort for an education, m.ay be strengthened with might 
by his Spirit in the inner man, and that the Spirit of 
the heavenly Teacher may dwell in them by faith, and 
that they may be filled with all the fulness of God." 



76 

It will not be improper to remark in this connexion, 
that the cause of education had received considerable at- 
tention in the State at large prior to the CFtablished 
public schools in 1800, although there has never been 
made sufficient provision for the wants of the popula- 
tion. jN evertheless we should be grateful that previous- 
ly to that period, there were academies in operation in 
all the counties, and in some of them, several, besides a 
large number of private schools. 

In the returns of the State Commissioner, the Hon. 
E. R. Potter of Kingstown, for January, 1853, it ap- 
pears that the population in the State under fifteen years 
old was in June, 1850, 47,357; and that of this num- 
ber 28,331 attended school within that year, and that 
2,744 could not read or write. That the whole num- 
ber of scholars connected with the schools in 1852 ac- 
cording to the returns (several districts not reporting) 
received by him was 26,187, averaging in attendance 
18,772; and that of these scholars 13,979 were males, 
and 12,208 were females. And that there were 263 
male teachers and 345 female teachers, (608 teachers, 
furnishing to every teacher 43 scholars,) making a total 
of 26,798. Of the 47,857 youths under 15 years, 
13,898 were not four years of age, leaving 33,959 over 
4 and under 15. Of the 33,959 youths, 28,331 attend- 
ed school, which leaves 5,628 not reported. Making only 
a reasonable allowance for incompetency by physical 
and mental inability, and for instruction obtained other- 
wise than in regular schools, and the result will show 
that the youth of our State are to a great extent receiv- 
ing more or less education at school. It is confidently 
believed that under the present system of management. 



77 

the number of scholars and of teachers will be increased ; 
and that education both in character and extent will 
greatly improve. 

The following gentlemen constitute the government 
of Brown University, 1853-4. 

BOARD OF FELLOWS. 
Rev. FRANCIS WAYLAND, D. D. L L. D., Prrsidext. 
Rev. Nathan B. Crocker, B. D. Rev. Alvan Bond, D. D. 

Rev. Robert E. Pattison, D. D. Alexander Duncan, A. INI. 

Hon. John Pitman, L L. D. Hon. Isaac Davis, L L. D. 

Hon. Richard Fletcher, L L. D. Rev. James N. Granger, A. M. 

Hon. James H. Duncan, A. M. John Kingsbury, A. M. 

John Carter Brown, A. M. 

John Kingsbury, A. M., Secretary. 
Moses Brown Ives, Treasurer. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 
Hon. John Brown Francis, President. 

*IIon. Tristam Burges, L L. D. Rev. Baron Stow, D. D. 

Sullivan Dorr, Rev. Edward B. Plall, D. D. 

Rev. David Benedict, D. D. Hon. Edward Mellen, A. M. 

Moses Brown Ives, A. M. Nathan Bishop, A. M. 

Hon. Richard W. Greene, L L. D. Rev. Alva Woods, D. D. 

Richard J. Arnold, A. M. Rev. Thomas Vernon, A. M. 

Zachariah Allen, L L. D. William A. Crocker, A. M. 

Hon. Tomas Burgess, Rev. Arthur S. Train, A. M. 
Rev. Rufus Babcoek, D. D. Horatio N. Slater, A. M. 

Rev. Henry Jackson, A. M. Rev. Samuel B. Svvaim, 

Hon. Levi Haile, A. M. Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, A. M. 

Hon. Heman Lincoln, Hon. Thomas P. Shcpard, M. D. 

Samuel Boyd Tobey, M. D. George Howland, A. M. 

Hon. Beniamin B. Thurston, Hon. Charles Thurber, A. M. 
Rev. William Phillips, A. M. Albert Day, 

Rev. William Hague, D. D. Rev. Sewall S. Cutting. 

Robert H. Ives, A. M. 

*Deccased October 13, 1853. 

EXECUTIVE BOxVRD. 

Rev. FRANCIS W^AYLAND, D. D. LL. D., Chairman. 
Rev. Nathan IV Crocker, D. D. John Kingslnuy, A. M. 

Hon. John Pitman. L L. D. John C. Brown, A. M. 

Moses Brown Ives, A. M. Rev. James N. Granger, A. M. 

Samuel B. Tobey, M. D. Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, A. M. 

Rev. Alva Woods, D. D. 

John KixqscURY, A. M., Secretary of the Board. 



78 

COMMITTEE OF AWARD. 
Rev. Francis Wayland, Moses B. Ives, John Kingsbury. 



MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY, AND OTHER OFFICERS. 

Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., L L. D., President^ and Professor of 
Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. 

Rev. Alexis Caswell, D. D., Regent, and Professor ot Mathematics 
and Physical Astronomy. 

George I. Chace, P. D., LL. D., Professor of Chemistry and Physiology, 
and of Chemistry applied to the Arts. 

William Gammell, A. M., Professor of History and Political Economy. 

John L. Lincoln, A. M., Professor of the Latin Language and Literature. 

Rev. Robinson P. Dunn, A. M., Professor of Rhetoric and English 
Literature. 

Samuel S. Greene, A. M., Professor of Didactics. 

James B. Angell, A. M., Professor of Modern Languages. 

Rev. Henry Day, A. M., Professor of Natural Philosophy and Civil 
Engineering. 

Nelson Wheeler, A. M~., Professor of the Greek Language and 
Literature. 

William F. AVebster, A. B., Assistant to the Professor of Chemistry. 

Reuben A. Guild, A. M., Librarian. 

Edward T. Caswell, A. B., Assistant Librarian. 

Lemuel H. Elliott, Register. 



In the city of Providence there are forty-eight relig- 
ious congregations assembling on the Sabbath, repre- 
senting fifteen denominations of professing christians, 
all existing on the voluntary principle in a State where, 
concerning religious compulsion, there has never been 
enacted in any form a law ; but every citizen is re- 
commended by his Excellency the Governor to offer 
thanksgiving upon his own acknowledged altar, and to 
observe God's holy day in a manner becoming, and in 
accordance with the requisitions of the Bible. 

Of these forty-eight assemblies, four meet in public 
halls. To these several denominations are assigned 
their proportion of seats and their estimated value in 
the annexed table, viz : 



79 

Denominations. Seats. "Valuation. 

Associatsd Baptists, 6,300 $179,700 

Orthe. Congregationalists, 5,975 148,200 

Roman Catholics 5,150 98,(-00 

Methodist Episcopal, 3,365 61,800 

Episcopalians, 3,150 110,000 

Unitarian Congregationalists, 2,350 118,000 

UniversaUsts, 1,450 53,200 

Christians, 1,000 12,000 

Free Will Baptists, 1,000 10,000 

Mariners' Church, 700 4,500 

Wesleyan Methodists, 500 6,000 

Society of Friends, 500 20,000 

Second Adventists, 400 

Associated Scotch Pros., 300 3,000 

New Jerusalem, 250 4,000 

Totalof Seats and Valuation, 32,400 $829,700 

There are therefore in this city in the forty places of 
public worship 32,400 seats, and ^829,700 property in 
church premises, being full one half of the pecuniary 
investments of this character in the State, and as I have 
before stated nearly one third of the pew accommodations. 

Of these forty-eight meetings, there are seven Ortho- 
dox Congregational, four Roman Catholic, six Meth- 
odist and Episcopal, four Episcopal, three Unitarian 
Congregational, two Universalist, two Christian, four 
Free Will Baptist, one Mariner, one Wesleyan Metho- 
dist, one Society of Friends, two Second Advent, one 
Scotch Presbyterian, one New Jerusalem, and nine As- 
sociated Baptists. 

The First Baptist Church is the representative of the 
■first individuals who were publicly baptized by immer- 
sion in America, the original church having consisted, 
in part of the organization thus formed in 1 638-9 ;— and 
it has continued until the present time in the neighbor- 
hood where Williams and his associates were immersed 



80 

And so universally received has been this impression 
that Callender, our oldest historian places it first in or- 
der, and the Legislature as late as May, 1774, grants a 
charter in which they say it is " the oldest Christian 
Church in this Colony," and hence in existence first, 
and before any other church of whatever profession, 
within their jurisdiction. 

In relation to the division in this church in 1652-3, 
the Kev. John Coiner is the only author that I have 
seen who has given any particular account of that event. 
Backus, Benedict and Staples quote from him all that 
they have stated respecting it. Nor does Hopkins give 
anv other authority. The records of the Providence 
church, it is said, are not sufficiently accurate to decide 
the question authoritatively ; nor according to Backus, 
Vol. II, Page 3, are the records of the church in New- 
port in much better condition, for as he writes, this 
" church had but seventeen members when he, Mr. Co- 
mer, " came there, in 1726 ; neither had they any church 
records before he got a book and collected into it the 
best accounts that he could obtain of their former af- 
fairs." Who then was Mr. Comer 1 He was born in 
Boston, August 1st, 1701:; baptized in that town Janu- 
ary 31st, 1725 ; settled as pastor of the First Baptist 
Church in Newport, May 19th, 1726; dismissed from 
his pastoral office January 8th, 1729 ; preached as a 
supply for nearly two years in the Second Baptist 
Church in Newport ; settled as pastor of the Baptist 
Church in llehoboth January 26th, 1732, and died of 
consumption in that town. May 23d, 1734, aged 29 
years, 9 months and 22 days. He v/as a gentleman of 
education, piety, and of great success in his profession. 



81 

During his brief life he collected a large body of facts, 
intending at some future period to write the history of 
the American Baptist Churches. His manuscripts he 
never printed, nor did he as I learn ever prepare them for 
publication. He was unable to revise them, and they 
were left in their original condition. Nevertheless he 
made an able and most valuable contribution to Rhode 
Island history. His papers were written probably about 
the year 1729, or in 1731. The Eev. John Callender, 
his successor in the Newport Church, was settled Oct. 
13th, 1731. He was a contemporary with Mr. Comer, 
and in all probability also an intimate correspondent. 
As Mr. Comer united with the church in Boston, of 
which Rev. Elisha Callender, an uncle of the Newport 
pastor, was the minister, and as they even resided togeth- 
er at the same time in Newport, the writings of Comer 
must have been well known to Mr. John Callender. And 
especially, inasmuch as while he was preparing his Cen- 
tury Sermon in 1738, he must have had access to them 
and indeed to all sources from which Comer had derived 
his knowledge of the events which he described. And yet 
Mr. Callender in that discourse does not intimate, as Mr. 
Comer is made to say, that the church in Providence of 
which Mr. Wickenden was an elder, was a new church ; 
and that the church in that same place of which Mr. 01- 
ney was pastor, was the original body organized there in 
1639 ; but he states simply, that " about the year 1653-4 
there was a division in the Baptist Church at Providence, 
about the right of laying on of hands." Hereupon they 
walked in two churches, one under Mr. C. Browne, Mr. 
Wickenden, &c., the other under Mr. Thomas Olney." 
The question here arises, which of these two bodies was 



82 

in the opinion of Mr. Callender the original church 1 
This he does not decide, and yet when he wrote that dis- 
course four years after Mr. Comer's death, he was pos- 
sessed of all the information which Mr. Comer had 
obtained, and was better qualified to give an opinion, 
for he employed six months for revision and still further 
researches ; — and to use his own language in his dedi- 
cation article, ' I hope there are few or no errors 
in the matters of fact related, or the dates that are 
assigned. To prevent any mistakes, I have carefully 
reviewed the public records, and my other materials ; 
this review has brought to my knowledge or remem- 
brance, many things that were not mentioned in the pul- 
pit, which however it seemed ought not to be omitted." 
And had he believed that the Newport Church was the 
first in America, he never would have placed that at 
Providence in the position in which he has. His order 
in the arrangement is peculiar. He places Mr. Olney's 
church as second, " one under Mr. C. Browne, Mr. 
Wickenden, &c., the other under Mr. Thomas Olney ; 
but laying on of hands at length generally obtained." 
" This last continued till about twenty years since, when 
becoming destitute of an elder, the members were united 
with other churches. At present, there is some pros- 
pect of their re-establishment in church order." Evident- 
ly Mr. Callender had in his mind the existing church from 
the beginning of its organization in 1639 ; for he con- 
tinues his history of it in the next paragraph save one. 
" This Church that out into divers branches, «&;c.," re- 
ferring to the same body, which he began to describe in 
page 109, (Elton's Callender;) nor did he stop after he hapl 
informed us of the ceasing of the Olney church in 1718, 



83 

but continued the history of the church " under Mr. 
Browne, Wickenden, &c.," till he came to account for 
the rise of the Newport church on pages 1 16-17, of the 
same edition. The history of Callender is therefore in 
my judgment, the history of the First Baptist Church 
existing in Providence from 1639 until his times; — and 
this church will, it is believed, continue to be a Baptist 
church to serve successive generations who will require 
the same gospel which their fathers loved while living, 
and triumphed in while dying. 

For myself I do not question that had Comer lived 
until 1739, he would have sympathized with Mr. Cal- 
lender entirely in the chronology of these and other 
churches, and of the various events of which the latter 
has so calmly, and cautiously, and judiciously written; 
a production, concerning which Judge Staples has said, 
"• no publication of the kind deserves higher praise for 
impartiality, candor, and research." 

As to Mr. Olney we have no knowledge of his ordi- 
nation. It is recorded that in 1642, Chad. Browne was 
ordained an elder in the Providence Church. At a sub- 
sequent period, while together in New York, it is also 
recorded that Mr. Browne ordained Mr. William Wick- 
enden to the same ministry. Gregory Dexter was also 
an elder in the same church before the division in 1652. 
Olney, Brown, and Wickenden, were members of the 
community concerning whom Gov. Winthrop said, " Mr. 
Williams and the rest did make an order that no man 
should be molested for his conscience ;" and who in 
their own code prescribed " only in civil things," would 
they be governed by legal enactments. And Wicken- 
den, Olney and Dexter were members of the first Gen- 



84 

eral Assembly at Portsmouth in May, 1647. At the 
time of the division before referred to, there were four 
elders in that church, viz : Chad. Browne, William Wick- 
enden, Gregory Dexter, and Thomas Olney. Is it not 
probable that as three of these remained in the one, and 
only one of them in the other, that the former, although 
they did introduce a new ceremony into the church, 
were the majority of the original church, and the latter 
the minority ■? For with the former there are connected 
whatever records which are in existence, and to it also 
Callenderj Hopkins, Backus, and Benedict refer as 
being the First Baptist Church in Providence. Indeed 
they never intimate that it was not the original church, 
even with the writings of Comer in their hands. Callen- 
der assuredly wrote of both these churches and also of 
the one at Newport, and he said that the church in Prov- 
idence was first in order; nor does he give room for any 
suspicion that the one existing in that town in 1738, 
was not the original body. Certainly had there been any 
doubt in his mind, he would not in that year, twenty 
years subsequent to the disbandment of the Olney church, 
have chronicled the church then in being, as the Baptist 
Church in Providence from the days of Williams, and 
the first in order in our denomination in this country. 
In addition to the fact that no early reference to the 
church of Mr. Olney is found in print save that which 
Callender has made, viz: that it ceased in 1718 to be a 
church, and that its members sought membership in 
other churches, the unanimous voice of Baptists and 
others has awarded to the First church the claim which 
generation after generation has been compelled to al- 
low, viz : that of priority. And is it not impossible that 



85 

this claim can be otherwise than just, when Callender, 
although he had been in communion and conversation 
with Comer, presents notwithstanding a version of the 
case, destitute of the main discrimination of the manu- 
script writings of the latter ? And is it not probable that 
if Mr. Comer had been living in 1738, with the revision 
and research of his writings and attainments which Cal- 
lender gave to his preparations, these two men of New- 
port distinguished in Baptist history and Baptist princi- 
ples, would have united in their testimony, that the 
church formed at the baptism of Williams, has come 
down in regular descent, thus making the First Baptist 
Church in Providence in March 1854, tavo hundred and 

FIFTEEN YEARS OLD \^ 

The former edifice of the existing church stood on 
the north side of Smith, corner of Smith and North 
Main streets ; the one which they now occupy was erect- 
ed in 1776, in the centre of a beautiful and almost ob- 
long square, about two hundred by three hundred feet, 
bounded by North Main, Thomas, Benefit, and Presi- 
dent streets. It is surrounded by an open fence, with 
neat walks of brick laid from its gate ways through the 
green surface to the various doors of the house, made 
on each side of the square, so that it can be vacated in 
the least time of any building of its size among us. The 
house is eighty feet square, with an addition of 16 feet, 

*The venerable Stephen Hopkins, for eight years Governor of the Colony, 
but who is better known as one of the signers of the declaration of indepen- 
dence, in his account of Providence published in 1765, (See Mass. Hist. Col. 
2d series, vol. 9) states as follows. " This first church of Baptists, at Provi- 
dence, gathered and formed some time earlier than 1639, hath from its begin- 
ning kept itself in repute, and maintained its discipline, so as to avoid scan- 
dal, or schism, to this day ; hath always been, and still is a numerous congre- 
gation, and in Avhich I liave with pleasure observed, very lately, sundry 
descendants from each of the above named founders, except llolliman." 



86 

thus making it 96 by 80 feet. It has a steeple 212 feet 
high. It is built of wood, and is furnished with galler- 
ies, vestries, bell, clock, and organ. There are 144 pews 
on the floor. The building is a noble structure, and 
seems to hold its superiority in symmetry of architecture, 
simplicity of design, and beauty of execution, notwith- 
standing the various attempts made at different times 
to excel it. And it is most ardently desired that no ef- 
fort on the part of the society will be withheld to pre- 
serve it for many years to come in its firmness and 
strength. The architect was Joseph Brown, the build- 
er, T. Sumner. In this house from its first opening, 
the college in Providence has held its annual commence- 
ments ; and on these occasions we should sigh after com- 
mencement were it not celebrated, even as we did when 
the anniversary of Brown was celebrated upon one sad 
Wednesday in July, instead of on the good old first 
Wednesday in September, at 9^ of the clock, A. M. 
But the original day has been restored ; not so we fear 
this house would be restored should it by fire or other- 
wise be destroyed. Indeed it was in reality an emana- 
tion from the college, for it would never have been 
built, had not the Browns and others erected it in part 
for the accommodation of the college. 

The whole premises, together with parsonage and 
some funds of the Society, at census valuation, are ap- 
praised at ;^100,000. The house seats 1500, congrega- 
tion 900, average 600. 

This church has long been distinguished for the ben- 
evolence of its members, and at numerous times has en- 
joyed precious revivals of religion. From age to age it 
has stood a monument to the truth ; and distant may 



87 

that day be, when its influence and its benevolence shall 
in any measure be lessened. The deacons are N. Bump, 
V. J. Bates, J. H. Read, W. Andrews, and M. Lyon. 
The minister is sustained by taxes upon the pews. 

More than a century and an half had elapsed, and 
about thirty years after the erection of the house of the 
First church, before the Second, or Pine st. church, was 
organized. In 1805 a colony from the mother church 
was constituted a church, and an edifice was erected, 
which was carried away by the flood and gale of the 23d of 
September, 1815. In that house of blessed memory, 
many treasures were laid up by Cornell and Gano, be- 
tween whom as pastors beloved, there subsisted an un- 
broken fellowship and sympathy in labor, yet to be 
brought forth, — for Jehovah neither confines himself to 
houses made with hands, nor loses his redeemed, if the 
outer sanctuary be destroyed. The following year, 1816, 
and on the same site, the present structure, excepting 
an enlargement in 1837, was erected, measuring 50 by 
90 feet, with a tower and bell, galleries and organ, ves- 
tries and 106 pews. It is capable of seating 900 and is val- 
ued at ^10,000. A debt of ^1000 remains. It stands 
on the corner of Dorrance street, fronting on Pine, from 
which latter street it took its name. 

This church has enjoyed many refreshings from the 
presence of the Lord. It is a valuable body, and if 
their present eflbrt succeeds to build in a better location 
another edifice, which they greatly need, and towards 
which more than ^20,000 have already been subscribed, 
we may expect even greater aid to the cause of truth 
than they have hitherto given. The deacons are W. 
Ham, B. Gardner, J. J. H. Butler, and J. Boyce. Their 



88 

minister they sustain by rents of pews. Their congre- 
gation is 500, averaging 400. 

Sixteen years had passed away before another Baptist 
Church was formed. George Dodds, whose memory 
can never be forgotten, residing at the time in the south- 
eastern section of the town, deeply interested in the 
spiritual condition of his neighbors and other citizens, 
by untiring perseverance in penny collections and jour- 
neys abroad, obtained means to erect the Third Baptist 
Meeting-house in 1822. It is situated on a large lot, 
on the corner of Wickenden and Hope streets ; it was 
enlarged in 1838. It measures 45 by 71 feet, and has 
a tower and orchestra, extending its length to 93 feet. 
It is furnished with bell, organ, galleries, and vestries, 
has 92 pews on the floor, and is valued at ;^14,000. It 
will seat 900, has a congregation of 600, averaging 400. 
They support their minister by pew rents and subscrip- 
tions. The deacons are W. C. Barker, J. Luther, N. 
Mason, S. Barker, S. S. Stillwell and I. Goddard: The 
church was constituted in 1821. 

This church is an efficient body of believers, distin- 
guished for their liberality and the spiritual character 
of their social meetings ; the influence which they exert 
is decidedly beneficial. Their pastor the Rev. T. C. Jame- 
son, was settled in 1840, and resigned his office on the 
evening of the 3d of November, having performed a high- 
ly useful ministry of thirteen years among them. 

Between Wickenden street and the First Church 
there is a position which ought long before now to have 
been occupied by our denomination. 

Two years from the date of the Third, (i. e. 1823) the 
Fourth Baptist Church was constituted, their house 



89 

having been erected in 1822, It is built on Bacon 
street, in the north part of the city, and measures since 
its enlargement in 1850, 47 by 74 feet ; it is valued at 
;$f8,500. It has a tower and bell, orchestra and organ, 
chapel and vestries, and 92 pews on the floor. It seats 
600, and has a congregation of 500 with an average at- 
tendance of 300. They support the ministry by rents 
and taxation of pews. They have two deacons, Cyril 
Babcock and Luther Salisbury. 

This is also a valuable and efficient church. Their 
pastor, the Rev. Francis Smith, was settled in 1841, and 
resigned in October 1853, after a rttinistry of twelve 
years, during which he often witnessed tokens for good. 

Seventeen years after the date of the Fourth Church, 
(i. e. in 1840,) the Fifth Baptist was formed. Their 
house now located on Stewart street, in the south-west 
section of the city, was built in 1845 ; it measures 38 by 
60 feet, has 80 pews, and seats 500 ; it has a congrega- 
tion of 300, averaging 150, and is valued at ;^ 1,600. 
They rent their pews. The deacons are, W. H. Hudson, 
G. Burr, B. Orswell, and H. C. Starkweather. 

Rev. B, Miner, pastor of the South church has preach- 
ed for them on Sabbath afternoons, they worshipping in 
the morning with his people. The members appear dis- 
heartened, but it is hoped that they will soon unite with 
the South church in the erection of a new house. Alrea- 
dy something like ^10,000 have been subscribed for 
this object. It is believed, that these two churches uni- 
ted in one, will be a blessing to that part of the city, 
rapidly increasing as it is in population and influence. 

During the year 1840, the Meeting street church was 
also constituted, they occupying a house built in 1820 for 
the benefit of the colored population. It is 40 by 50 feet, 

12 



90 

and is finished with orchestra, 52 pews, and vestry, the 
whole being valued at ;$f5000. It will accommodate 400 ; 
the congregation is 80, averaging 60. It stands on Meet- 
ing street, whence the church derives its name. The dea- 
cons are G. C. Willis, Z. Jones, and G. Waterman. The 
minister is sustained by subscription. Having no pas- 
tor, their pulpit is supplied by Bro. J. Amos. It is de- 
sirable that the members cultivate a deep interest in 
each other, and as they have no debt, there is no reason, 
provided they obtain a pastor and continue in prayer, 
why they should not prosper. The colored population 
is very large in the city. This church have invited Bro. 
C. Leonard to become their pastor. * 

Six years after the Fifth, (i. e. in 1847) the South 
church was organized. The meeting-house which they 
occupy is the private property of Dea. E. S. Barrows. 
It is situated on Point street, and measures 33 by 70 
feet, has a tower, orchestra, organ, 80 pews, and ves- 
tries, and is valued at ^$'3,000. It will seat 400, has 
a congregation of 200, with an average of 125. They 
bear their expenses from pew rent and subscription. 
The deacons are T. Reynolds and E. S. Barrows. They 
have a flourishing Sabbath school, and with continued 
eflbrt it is confidently believed that they will be able, in 
conjunction with the Fifth church, to erect a suitable 
edifice upon a lot already purchased. Such a house will 
be an important acquisition to the people. 

The year following 1847 the Eighth church was es- 
tablished. They meet in their house, situated on the 
corner of Davis and Common streets; it was built in 
1846, measures 35 by 50 feet, has 56 pews, and will seat 
300. It is valued at ;$f 1,600. Their congregation is 

» Rev. Mr. Leonard was ordained as their pastor, December 1853. 



91 

200, with an average of 150. They rent their pews. 
The deacons are E. Whipple and W. G. Noyes. About 
180 families live in their vicinity, and their church and 
the Catholic, are the only houses for religious worship 
in the neighborhood. The interest is prosperous and 
well deserves the sympathies of the Convention. There 
is a prospect of great good from this station. 

Five years after the formation of the Eighth, the Ninth, 
or High-street Baptist church was constituted ; the house 
is on Stewart street, corner of Pond, and measures 56 by 
91 feet. It was dedicated in 1852. It is built of brick 
in the most substantial manner, is ornamented with two 
towers of the same materials, contains 134 pews, and is 
furnished with bell, orchestra and organ, vestry, study, 
and library rooms ; it is finished in neat yet elegant style, 
and is in reality a great addition to the public buildings 
of the city. It seats 800 ; — the congregation is 700, 
averaging 500. The cost (^36,000) has been met by 
Perry Davis, a recently ordained minister in the church, 
who I am informed, has said that the church shall not 
fail to enjoy it as their permanent place of public wor- 
ship. The deacons are P. Davis, J. Davol, B. P. W. 
Bennett, and D. W. Robinson. This church united 
with the Providence Baptist Association at its last ses- 
sion. 

The edifice is plain and yet in some respects quite 
ornamental. It is more entirely finished than any church 
within my knowledge. The audience room is very im- 
posing, and the whole structure is rarely excelled in 
simplicity, conveniences, and durability. May a kind 
providence succeed the desires of the generous builder, 
and accept at his hands this monument to His praise. 



92 

Estimates of tue Five Counties, 1854. 
Counties. Churches. Church Prop. Seats. Population. Valuation. 

Newport, -44 $240,950 17,206 22,300 $14,500,000 

Washington, 47 105,500 14,305 17,G00 6,822,000 

Bristol, 11 104,350 6.720 9,200 6,000,000 

Kent, 32 48,200 9,615 15,700 6,553,000 

134 $499,000 47,846 64,800 $38,875,000 

Providence Co. 

Nine towns, 58 $197,500 23,886 50,600 $20,000,000 

City, 48 829,700 32,400 50,000 37,500,000 

Totalin R.L, 240 $1,526,200 104,132 165,400 $91,375,000 

Some of these estimates may be low, but others again, 
are full high, so that the facts I think will compare 
with the various computations. Indeed I differ very 
slightly from the United States census as reported in 
1850, excepting in cases where I know changes have 
taken place. By that census the population returned 
from the State of Rhode-Island was 147,545 ; the above 
estimate, aside from Providence, in which there is an in- 
crease of 8,487, increases it 9,368, making at the com- 
mencement of 1854, a population of 165,400, with 
church accommodations for 104,132. The late census 
makes the aggregate of property ;^80,508,794 ; in the ta- 
ble above it is augmented ^10,855,206; of this in- 
crease ^6,834,650 are rated in the tax books of our 
cities, Newport and Providence, making, with an addi- 
tional increase of ^4,031.556, for the State at large, the 
present capital of the State, ^91,375,000. The property 
in church investment as rendered in the census of 1850, 
was ^^1,252,900; in this report, in consecjuence of addi- 
tions of new churches and enlargement of former build- 
ings, it is increased ;^273,300. I therefore state this in- 
vestment at ^1,526,200. 



93 

It will appear from the table following, that fifty-one 
of the two hundred and forty churches in Rhode-Island, 
are connected with the Rhode-Island Baptist State Con- 
vention. The year in which each of these churches was 
constituted, so far as has been ascertained, is given. Also 
the names of the pastors and clerks ; the time also when 
the pastor was settled, and the compensation which he 
receives. This compensation amounts in the aggregate 
to the sum of ^21,942, thus averaging in the forty-three 
salaries received, per minister ^510 — hardly a common 
clerk's wages. — The whole membership of the churches 
as stated in the table annexed is 7124, of whom 2066 
are males, and 5058 are females ; of the males 484 are 
reported as living in other places, and of the females 
983. From this table it will also appear that in addi- 
tion to their ordinary expenses, there has been raised 
in these churches during the current year for benevo- 
lent purposes the sum of ^13,460,45, not ^2000 of 
which has been expended upon Rhode-Island, loudly 
as our interests call for aid; — thus more than ^^11,000 
have gone abroad ; also that there are numbered in 
their respective congregations of worship 15,695 per- 
sons ; and that the average attendance on the Sabbath 
in ordinary iveather is 9,685. But it should be remem- 
bered that every church has members of other church- 
es in its congregation, hence it may be inferred, that the 
actual church membership in each congregation is about 
what is here reported. 



94 



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96 

Of fifty-one churches in the State, from each of whom 
you have now heard, about one half have received pe- 
cuniary encouragement from this Convention ; and sev- 
eral of them, but for this body, would never have been 
constituted. And we need no better channel through 
which to effect even the largest desires of our hearts 
concerning our State. As you have seen, there are nine 
towns of our thirty-one, in which we have no church 
of our order, and nine of the remaining twenty-two, in 
which we are feebly represented. Our entire north- 
western section, and to a great extent, our western also, 
where Baptist sympathies are so prevalent, we have 
never cultivated. There are thriving villages existing 
and coming into existence annually, in which we can 
and ought to establish churches. There are six places 
especially in which we must operate immediately, or our 
opportunity will cease. There are also, large tracts of 
agricultural districts, where no special effort is being 
made for the salvation of men. There is little appre- 
ciation of the Sabbath, and a great lack of responsibil- 
ity, among even some of the members of our churches. 
Indeed, to a fearful extent, church relationship and priv- 
ileges are not valued. In some of the churches, deeply 
rooted prejudices exist against any improvement in effi- 
cient piety. In almost all of them, there is a worldly 
spirit prevailing to an extent truly ominous of evil. An 
increase of riches is the concern of the day, so that the 
most fine gold has become dim indeed. 

The following schedule shows the proportion of seats 
which each denomination in the State furnishes,with their 
estimated vnlue. It must be remembered, that mostly 



97 

census reports are given, for it would be difficult to al- 
low for rise in property in the several locations since 
1850. And besides, this standard is equally just to 
each of these bodies : — 



DENOMINATIONS. 


1 


i 

a 
I 


.a 

O 3 

o 
p. 


a . 
g.9 

c Si 

be s 

is 


.S 

3 

e 

a 

3 
o 

•n 
n 


.2 

'i 

1 
a 

3 
o 

1 


o ja 
i2 


<M 3 

5 


'0 


Associated Baptist, 

Orthordox Congregatn'l, 
Methodist Episcopal,. . . . 


24.880 

13.053 

9.920 

12.206 

O.fiOO 

6.370 

6.962 

5.805 

3.150 

3.050 

3.100 

1.950 

700 

670 

650 

500 

325 

300 


$363,300 

241.550 

123.500 

252.500 

151.200 

56.900 

44.350 

23.450 

28.200 

127.000 

20.000 

61.200 

4.500 

3.300 

150 

6.000 

4.400 

8.000 


5 

4 
3 

7 
2 

6 
5 

5 
1 
1 


14 
1 
3 
5 

4 
4 
5 
1 


2 
2 
2 
2 

1 

1 


9 
2 
2 
3 
1 
2 
3 
8 


12 
6 
6 
6 
2 
5 

11 
6 


9 

7 
6 
4 
4 

1 
4 

2 

3 


51 
22 
22 
27 


Roman Catholic, 

Society of Friends, 

Free Will Baptist, 

Six Principle Baptist,- . . 


10 
18 
27 
19 
9 


Unitarian Congregatn'l . 
Seventh Day Baptists, . . 






4 


7 








8 






1 


2 
1 


.3 


Mariner's Church, 

Color'd Church, reported 

Second Adventists, 

Wesleyan Methodist, . . 

New Jerusalem, 

Jews Synagogue, 

Moravian Church, 

Asso. Scotch Pres'terian, 

Indian Church, 

Union Houses, 










1 


2 


2 


1 






5 


1 


1 


2 
1 

1 


4 








1 








1 




2 


1 

1 






1 












1 


300 
150 
491 


3.000 

200 

3.500 










1 


1 


1 


1 








1 






2 




3 



104.132 $1,526,200 44 47 11 32 58 48 240 



Having examined the preceding schedule, I doubt 
not some will think that, if there be in the State 104,- 
132 seats for a population of 165,400, (making all re- 
quisite allowance for invalids and children,) there has 
been an equitable provision made for the inhabitants. — 
But it ought not to be forgotten that many of these 
houses are so situated, as to be of little advantage to the 



18 



98 

people, they not having been used for years. Besides, 
deducting the returns from the two cities, amounting to 
61,000, there will remain for 104,400 persons, 60,916 
seats. But there are neighborhoods, as you have seen 
that need immediate attention. I do not, however, 
dwell so much upon additional houses, as upon the ne- 
cessity of improving the condition of our population and 
providing means for the education of the generations 
growing up among us. In respect to pew or seat ac- 
commodations, Rhode Island compares very favorably 
with her sister States in New England. There is a house 
for about every six hundred and ninety inhabitants. 
The difficulty more especially is, that the citizens do not 
attend public worship, a fault not peculiar to Rhode 
Island, for she is excelled in this respect by few. The 
average attendance of the people at large, does not pro- 
bably exceed one in five. Rarely, it is believed, are there 
found on any ordinary Sabbath in Rhode Island, one 
fifth of the population assembled in religious bodies. — 
Such a number would fill one-third of every house, used 
and not used in the State ; a spectacle that has never 
yet been witnessed. 

As a denomination, we have failed in our duty in not 
causing the gospel to be preached in all our towns, as 
was required by the very Providence that made this a 
Baptist State. Nevertheless, I repeat, I rejoice, and 
will rejoice, that notwithstanding our inertness as a 
people, Christians of other denominations have come up 
to this work. But this does not release us from our 
obligation. Our interests that wilt in the sunshine, need 
to be resuscitated, and new standards to be set up. We 
require an increase of an able and judicious ministry. — 
We are suffering through lack of pastoral labor. Be- 



99 

sides, we have virtually fifteen vacant pastorships, and 
five more will occur unless the churches are relieved from 
their pecuniary embarrassments. Some of these embar- 
rassments are not only exceedingly oppressive, but there 
is great danger that after the pastors have resigned, the 
meeting-houses will pass into the hands of those who have 
no sympathy with the truth as we receive it. Our minis- 
try is scantily supported, and on this account many leave 
the pastorship. There is unquestionably a fault in this 
matter in the ministry, as well as in the churches. In 
some sections, the people have been educated to believe 
that they commit a moral wrong in remunerating any 
one for his religious services, and some ministers have 
come to see, that in this respect, they themselves have 
greatly erred. It is time that we cease to say so much 
concerning a hireling ministry, and that both ministers 
and people, devote their means and energy to the dis- 
semination of the truth. And if we desire to retain our 
children when educated, we must provide, under God, 
such a ministry of the word as can instruct them in the 
truth as it is in Jesus ; — a ministry that shall be edu- 
cated so as to be able to explain our doctrines and en- 
force obedience to the glorious gospel of the blessed 
God. Not that I believe that every minister must of 
necessity receive a liberal education, desirable as this is 
in all ordinary circumstances. I would advocate, how- 
ever, a ministry filled with the power and spirit of the 
Holy Ghost, without which, every degree of knowledge, 
useful as it becomes to every one called to the sacred of- 
fice, profiteth not. 

In this Colony, in 1738, there were less than 20,000 
inhabitants, and thirty-three places of public worship, 
occupied by four religious denominations only; in la53, 



100 

the State contained 185,400 inhabitants and two hun- 
dred and fifty churches, constituting nearly twenty dif- 
ferent religious orders of professing Christians. 

I have prepared a table, which exhibits with a good deal 
of accuracy, the actual church membership at the present 
time in the State. And, as I am unable to complete the 
plan exhibited, it is proper that I should here state 
that, in relation to the Society of Friends, I have obtain- 
ed the reports of their Monthly Meetings instituted in 
Rhode Island, and quote them as rendered to me, viz : — 

" Rhode Island Monthly Meeting, 170 ; South Kings- 
town, do. 68 ; Greenwich, do. 133 ; Providence, do. 
319 ; Smithfield, do. 233 ; and other members, 27 — 
making a total of 950." In the city of Providence, there 
is a Mariner's Church of 50 members ; also, a Wesley- 
an Methodist, of 70 members ; a Scotch Presbyterian, 
of 143 members ; Colored Churches, as reported, of 
200 members ; and of Second Adventists, numbering 
200 communicants — in all, 1,640 members. 

In relation to Roman Catholics, there are, as I learn, 
no communicants except such as go to the " Confession- 
al" and receive on their confession and the promise to 
conform to the requisition of penance, permission from 
their priests " to communicate." Nor need we wonder 
how this can be performed, when it is known how many 
priests there are in Providence and other places. But 
the confessional ! — an engine truly of great and fearful 
power, and objectionable, as it appears to me, because 
subversive alike of personal accountability and personal 
freedom, as well as of the Rhode Island doctrine of soul 
liberty. 

And it is due to the principles which we as Baptists 
advocate, that I should here remark, that against the Ro- 



101 

manists as a sect I have nothing here to say. Their right to 
beheve in the articles of their church I do not question. 
They, as is true of all denominations, to their own Mas- 
ter must stand or fall. In eternity both pviest and people 
will give account to God the Judge of all. But although 
I do not object to Romanists as a mere denomination, I 
do object to them and will protest against any man or 
set of men whether in the church or state, who say that 
there is no sin in taking a false oath before one denomi- 
nated a " heretic," as many of the Romish clergy affirm, 
and who swear to support the constitution of the United 
States, when at the same time they are solemnly pledged 
to the dominion of the Pope at Rome. If any one pre- 
fers the Catholic faith, he is at liberty to do so, and 
should be protected in his right, as persons of other 
forms of worship are protected, by statute law ; but no 
one has any moral right to take the oath of allegiance to 
the government of this country, while at the same time 
he is sworn to a church in a foreign land which is ad- 
verse to all our free institutions, not even excepting our 
munificent and excellent public schools, in which entire 
equality in every respect prevails. Indeed the rights of 
our citizenship should not be conferred upon any one 
who is not perfectly absolved from legal obligation to eve- 
ry other government ; and this ought to be inserted in 
every oath administered at naturalization. While I say 
this in good faith, I would that it may ever be said of 
every American citizen, whenever occasion shall require, 
as was said of Roger Williams, that " he ever opposed, 
and that in print once and again, what he called the 
bloody tenet, i. e. every kind and degree of persecution 
for conscience sake. For cruel and impious it is to 
punish those who cannot change their opinions without 



102 

light or reason, and will not dissemble against all rea- 
son and conscience." Give us Rhode-Island doctrine, 
this acorn of soil if it be, whose tree of oak will shoot 
forth branches and be clothed with foliage, spreading 
a shade that will yet turn the melting, burning rays 
of oppression from the heads of men who are born, and 
who ought to be, and who are, and who have a right to 
be free and independent, and who should be responsible 
alone for their religion to the Lord of the conscience. 



CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN RHODE-ISLAND, 1853. 






TOWNS. 


p. 
n 

.2 
o 

<i 
1849 


.5*05 
as 

ft- §• 


a 

c. 
o 

'S. 


Orthordox 
Congregationalist. 

Unitarian 
Congregationalist. 


.2 "3 


1 


1 
1 


4 

S 

la 
> 


i 

"3 
S 
t 


S 
■3 


3 
a 

a . 

a ?. 
s.° 

ii 
3.2 


g 

a 

"i 
■s 


Providence, 

Portsmouth, 


738 
39 

4-57 
30 

161 


14261 365 


931 

50 

222 

167 
44 


270 
55 

■■96 


386 




123 


25 


6113 
144 

1738 
862 
8(54 
379 
451 
28 
505 
652 
739 
1.59 
906 
136 
244 
745 


1636 
1638 


Newport, 


781 
483 
.3-J8 
2.31 
200 


"(37 


i.56'' 40 
43 


60 
57 


28 






1639 


A\'ar\vick, 




15 


1642 


"Westerly, 






041 




1669 


New Shoreliam,. . 






148 








1672 


East Greenwich, . . 


15 


61 
11 






175 










1677 


Jamestown, 








14 

/|0 








1678 


North Kingston,.. 


412 
420 

17D 


46 


35 
















1722 


South Kingston, . . 


58 

101 

25 


41 
'539 








113 
190 
116 
377 
59 
59 


20 






1722 


Smithfield, 




30 








1730 


Glocester, 


18 
57 










1730 


Scituate, 


60 

77 

129 

lOtj 

190 


412 














17.30 


Charlestown, 














1738 


West Greenwich,.. 


56 

G19 

44 
















1741 


Coventry, 




20 














1711 


Exeter, 
















934 1742 


Middletown, 


8 






80 










88 1 ~i^ 


Little Compton,.. . 






197 


88 










285 
249 

1007 
647 
794 
540 
167 

1112 
379 

1044 
107 
290 
301 


1746 


Tiverton, 


35 
117 

258 

29.') 

80 

07 

324 


"i<)6 
47 


"285 
125 
113 


89 
248 






125 








1746 


Bristol, 




292 
264 
2.53 


125 








1746 
1746 


Warren, 












Cumberland, 


43' 








90 




1746 


Richmond, 












1747 


Cranston, 




23 








30 








1754 


Hopkinton, 




22 




766 






1757 


•Tohnston, 




22 
200 








357 
40 






1759 
1765 
1770 


North Providence, 
Barrington, 


495 




119 
107 




160 






30 




Foster, 














296 
175 








1781 


Burrillville, 












126 










1806 



31 Towns. 7146 1766 2472 2820 305 2824 620 2644 1055 243 40 22035 



103 

There are connected with the several denominational 
churches, besides the Romanists, 23,650 members, of 
which number the Associated Baptists have 7146 ; and 
the whole number of communicants who practise the 
New Testament baptism is 13,231. There are therefore 
9469 Pedobaptists, 13,231 Baptists,and 1640 Friends and 
others, (see page 100) making the aggregate of 23,650 
members. There may be 24,000 in the State who are 
professors of religion. Immersion is frequently perform- 
ed by other denominations besides the Baptists. 

I have endeavored to be accurate as possible in the 
number of churches, but in a few instances, by taking 
in the meeting-houses, I find I have exceeded their sev- 
eral reports, but this will not vary the denominational 
interests but little if any ; for in some instances there 
are houses of worship in towns adjacent to those towns 
in which the churches are located, so that the denom- 
inational representations remain unchanged. But if 
there be any errors, the fault is in the returns of the 
census. There were in June 1850, 221 independent 
churches returned. In the various orders there have 
been since that time several new churches formed, 
which are included in this report. 

The Associated Baptists have two Associations. The 
first is called, " The Warren Association," which was 
formed in Warren, September 1767. Its Eighty-sixth 
anniversary was held in the Third Baptist Meeting-house 
in Providence August 31, 1853. The second is known 
by the name of" The Providence Baptist Association ;" 
it was established at a meeting of delegates from sev- 
eral churches held in the Cumberland Hill Baptist 
Meeting-house, October 9th, 1843. The Tenth anni- 
versary was observed in the Fourth Baptist Meeting- 



104 

house in Providence, September 21st, 1853. These two 
associations also meet annually on the last Tuesday of 
April, as " The Rhode-Island Baptist State Conven- 
tion." This Convention was constituted in Providence, 
August 4th, 1825. Its twenty-eighth anniversary was 
celebrated in the First Baptist Meeting-house in Provi- 
dence, June 22d, 1853. Its Board of Managers meet 
quarterly on the last Tuesday in July, October, January 
and April. 

" The Old Six Principle, or General Baptist Con- 
ference," met and celebrated its one hundred and 
eighty-third anniversary in the Knightville Meeting- 
house, Cranston, September 9th, 10th, lltli, 1853, 
having been formed in 1670. Its quarterly meetings 
are held on Saturday, before the first Sunday in Novem- 
ber, and Saturday, before the second Sunday in April, 
and Saturday, before the third Sunday in July, and on 
Friday, before the second Sunday in September. 

" The Free Will Baptist Connexion" hold their 
quarterly meetings on Wednesday, before the fourth 
Sabbath in January, May, August and October. 

The Christian Denomination, have their regular 
meetings, but I have been unable to learn their arrange- 
ments. 

" The Seventh-Day Baptist Eastern Association," 
meets annually in May. Its seventeenth anniversary 
was held in Piscataway, New Jersey, Thursday, May 
26th, 1853. The Executive Committee meet on Wed 
nesday, before the third Sabbath or Saturday in Novem- 
ber, and on Thursday, before the fourth Sabbath or Sat- 
urday in May. 

" The Sixty-Third Annual Convention of the Pro- 
testant Episcopal Church," was held in Grace Church, 
Providence, June 14th, 1853, 



105 

" The Fiftieth Annual Meeting of the Evangeli- 
cal Consociation," was held in the Congregational Meet- 
ing house, in Barrington, June 14th, 1853 — Its Jubilee 
Anniversary. 

" The Providence Annual Conference of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church," was held in the Fourth Street 
Church, in New Bedford, (Mass.) April 13th, 1853; its 
thirteenth session. 

" The Unitarian Autumnal Convention," was held 
in Worcester, October 18th, 1853. 

" The New England Yearly Meeting of the So- 
ciety OF Friends," meets in Newport, on the first seventh, 
after the second sixth day in the sixth month, or on Sat- 
urday after the second Friday in June. Meetings for wor- 
ship, are held the next day. This meeting was established 
earlier than in 1671, but how much before that year it 
is not known, as the records were consumed with a dwell- 
ing-house, in which they were kept. It is safe to record 
that its one hundred and eighty-third anniversary was 
held in Newport, June 11th, 1853. The Rhode Island 
Quarterly Meeting was established in 1699. This meet- 
ing embraces the five Monthly Meetings that exist in 
the State. 

" The Universalist Convention," meets on the third 
Wednesday in May. 

The New Jerusalem Church in Rhode-Island have 
no united Covocation, nor any general meetings, so far 
as I can ascertain. 

11 



106 

POPULATION AND VALUATION OF RHODE ISLAND, 1730-1854. 



TOWNS. 



est- 



3 c 



.5 in" 



Is 



3^ 



.ss 



NEWPORT CO. 

Newport, 

Portsmouth, 

Jamestown, 

Middletown, 

Tiverton, 

Little Compton,.. . 
New Shoreham, . , 

PROVIDENCE CO. 

Providence, 

Smithtield, 

Scituate, 

Glocester, 

Cumberland, 

Cranston, 

Johnston, 

North Providence 

Foster, 

Burrillville, 



4.640 
813 
321 



290 



3.916 



WASHINGTON CO 

Westerly, 

North Kingston, . . 
South Kingston, . . 

Charlestown, 

Richmond, 

Hopkinton, 

Exeter, 



BRISTOL CO. 

Bristol, 

Warren, 

Harrington, 



KENT CO. 

East Greenwich, . 
West Greenwich,. 

Warwick, 

Coventry, 



1.926 
2.105 
1.523 



1.223 



1.178 



9.209 

1.512 

563 

881 

1.957 

1.232 

575 



4.321 
2.888 
3.601 
2.945 
1.756 
1.834 
1.031 
830 



1.812 

2.472 
2.835 
1.821 
1.2.57 
1.805 
1.864 



1.209 
979 
601 



1.663 
1.764 
2.438 
2.023 



9.563 
1.833 
358 
832 
4.699 
1.462 
1.262 



41. .513 
11. .500 
4..582 
2.872 
6.602 
4.312 
2.937 
7.680 
1.932 
3.538 



2.766 
2.971 
3.802 
994 
1.784 
2.478 
1.635 



4.616 

3.103 

795 



2.358 
1.350 
7.740 
3.620 



11.000 
2.000 
400 
1.000 
5.000 
1.600 
1.300 



50.000 
12.000 
5.000 
3.000 
7.000 
7.000 
3.000 
8.000 
2.000 
3.600 



3. .500 

3.100 

4.000 

1.000 

1.! 

2.500 

1.700 



5.000 

3.300 

900 



2.500 
1.400 
8.000 
3.{ 



$510,000 
183.333 
66.666 
113.333 
368.333 
297.666 



723,333 
666.666 
356.666 
526.000 
302.773 
411.133 
214.000 
152.913 
253.333 



323.333 
495.500 
974.3,33 
274.000 
234-533 
303.333 
342.900 



217.400 
130.000 
102.400 



265.333 
244.333 
583.006 
333.333 



$4,880,450 
1.114.9-50 
282.100 
825.500 
1.926.140 
985.605 
414.550 



33.511.000 
5.040.250 
1.811.150 
1.014.000 
3.224.2.50 
2.176.100 
1.126.200 
3.5.57.800 
576.340 
948.730 



1.250.000 
1.380.590 
1.502.550 
322.312 
569.096 
685.700 
584.940 



2.9.54.,300 

1.6.39..300 

513.954 



763.995 

452.958 

3.0.32.154 

1.753.150 



$8,000,000 
1., 500.000 

300.000 
1.200.000 
2.000.000 
1.000.000 

.500.000 



37..500.000 
5.100.000 
1.900.000 
1.100.000 
3.300.000 
2.223.000 
1.200.000 
3.600.000 
577.000 
1.000.000 



1.500.000 
1.. 500.000 
1.600.000 
322.000 
600.000 
700.000 
600.000 



3.400.000 

2.000.000 

600.000 



800.000 

4.53.000 

3.500.000 

1.800.000 



17.935 59.678 147..549 165.400 $9,968,277 $80,820,114 $91,375,000 



RECAPITULATION. 



Newport County, . 
Providence. .".... 

Washington." 

Bristol ". . . . 


6.064 
3.916 
5.554 


15.929 

19.200 

13.866 

2.789 

7.888 


20.009 
87.-528 
16.430 
8.514 
15.068 


22.300 $1,539,331 

100.600 3.607.483 

17.600 2.944.932 

9.200 449.860 

15.700: 1.420.665 


$10,429,295 

52.985.820 

0.295.188 

5.107.-554 

0.002.257 


$14,500,000 

57.-500.000 

6.822.000 

6.000.000 


Kent " 


2.401 


6.553.000 



Total Aggregate, 17.935 59.678 147.549 165.400 $9,968,277 $80,820,114 $91,375,000 



107 



SABBATH SCHOOLS. 



The Sabbath School Department of our Churches 
meets annually in connection with the Rhode Island 
Baptist State Convention, on the Wednesday succeeding 
the fourth Tuesday in April, at 10 o'clock, A. M., and 
is known by the name of the Sabbath School Associa- 
tion. It consists of delegates appointed by the several 
schools connected with the Convention. It elects its 
own officers, as specified in the seventh article of the 
constitution of the Convention, and occupies as much 
of the day as may seem from time to time necessary and 
desirable for the transaction of business (pertaining to 
the Association. The next meeting will be opened by 
Asa Messer Gammell, the Chairman of a Committee of 
ten to whom the management of the .[Association is in- 
trusted for the current year. 

Of this department I shall at this time say but a word. 
In some of the churches there is manifestly great inef- 
ficiency ; not even the children or the adults are gather- 
ed into the Sabbath School, and yet in the combinations 
of this world they enter or take an interest. But in 
most of our churches there are found collected groups 
of the old, the middle aged, and the young, \yho thus 
meet weekly for the purpose of receiving and imparting 
religious instruction. 

I annex a Table which shows the condition of this 
field of our spiritual joys and hindrances. 



108 



SCHOOLS. 



Prov. 1st, Church 

" 2d,...." 

" 3d,...." 

" 4th,..." 

" 5th,..." 

" Meeting Street,. 

" South, 

" Eighth, 

" High Street, 

N. Prov. Allendale,.- 

" Fruit Hill, 

" 1st, Pawtucket 

" High St. Pawt'ket 
Smithtield, Cent. Falls, 

" Lonsdale, 

" L. R. & Albion,.. 
Cumberland, Val. Falls 
Cumberland Hill,... 

" Voonsocket, . 
Cranston, Pawtnxct,.. . 

Scituate, Fiskville 

Warwick, Shawomet, . 

" Natic, 

" Phoenix, 

" First, 

Coventry, Quidnic,. . . . 

'' Central, 

East Greenwich, 

West Greenwich, 

N. Kingst. Quoitnesset, 

" First, Wickford,., 

" First, N. K 

Exeter Baptist Church 
S. Kingston, First, 

" Second, , . 

" Queen's River, .. , 
Richmond, 2d Church, 
Hopkinton, Second,. . . 

" First 

Westerly, Niantic, 

" Fu-st, 

" Lottery Village,.. 

" Charlcstowu First 

New Shoreham, 

Newport, First, 

" Second, 

" Central, 

Tiverton, Central, 

Bristol, First, 

Warren, First, 



SUPEUINTEN- 
DENTS. 



A. Guild,.... 
Bovce, 

W". Godding,. 
R. Weeden, . . 
S. Siblev, 

C. Willis,. . . . 
C. Wightman, 

F. Jolls, 

C. Marchant, 

Bclden, 

A. Whipple, . 

G. Benedict,. . 

Keach, 

S. Mallery, . . . 
. Aldrich, 

Mann, 

Flagg, 

Sweet, 

Ballou Jr. . . . 
Lee, 



A. Willard,. 
R. Hopkins, . 
A. Taylor, . . 

Spencer, 

Inman, 



V. Gallup,... 

Wall, 

S. Hazard,.... 
L. Congdon,.. 
U. Reynolds,. 

Eldred, 

Tillinghast, . . 
P. Rodman, . . 
H. Peckham,, 
W. Briggs,... 
K. Clark,.... 
H.Richmond, 



W.Cliamplain 

R. Hyde, 

Hall.' 



P. Burbank,. . 

C. Rose, 

Albro, 

H. Rhoades, . 
. C. Langley,. 

Grav, 

B. Cook, 

M. Gammell,. 



109 
97 

128 

107 
25 
20 
65 
40 

122 
75 
18 

100 
50 
85 
25 
15 
45 
15 
71 
40 



25 
36 
70 
50 

125 
31 
50 

100 






145 

103 

147 

145 

30 

25 

75 

70' 

153 

100 

32 

132 

59 

115 

50 

20 

55 

25 

81 

53 





S2 

C3 








JS 


^ 


r>i 








o 


o 












tB 


bo 










bC 


be 






<! 


< 



34 182 
12 133 
25! 205 
29! 185 
-8 40 
9 33 

11 130 

12 90 
36i 261 
14' 140 

5 30 

20 175 

10; 75 

18 150 

8, 50 

5| 30 

8^ 75 

6! 30 

8; 100 

14 70 



6j 33 
18, 130 
16 100 



50 

65 

80 

75 

30 

50 

86 

36 

50 

80 

32 

8' 30 

5| 20 

25; 100 



400' 38 

320: 15I 

700 30 

700 32 

150| 10 

300! 10 

450 14 

450 12 

500 38 

482 17 

500; 6 

700 25 

2.30 15: 

500 20 

300 12 

3.59; 5 

400, 10 

235 8 

300] 15 

300 18 



254' 292 
200, 215 
2751 305 
2.52 1 284 
55 65 



45 
140 
110 



10 4t 15 
85 12 90 



30 

54! 
80 
70 
IGO 
46 
40 



2 45 

7I m 

14 75 

16 90 



200! 8 
500 i 21 
600} 16 
200 7 
405 12 
600j 20 
200 13 
150 4 
200 10 
500 18 



50 
130 

100 
65 



450 
350 



1401 12 
300; 8 



175: 

500 



200 32 



200 
55 
70 



I60I 28 200 



175 12 
6OOI 19 
100... 
50 3 
200 13 
400, 22 
3.50 18 
838 44 
200 8 
375 12 
600 3( 



1.50 
90 
30 
64 

1.35 
50 
67 
80 
34 
30 
30 

150 



20 
127 



55 
90 
1.50 
120 



55 
154 
122 



275, 313 
175, 192 

50, 56 
282 1 257 
109: 124 
200' 220 

75; 87 

35! 40 
100! 110 

401 48 
152 167 

93 111 



58 
1.51 
116 

72 



1001 112 



170 

103 
34 
74 

153 
59 
76 
92 
42 
38 
36 

182 



32 
146 



.58 
103 
172 
1.38 
329 

85 
102 
296 



305 445 2413 3U83 616 4131 178.54 750 5490 6246 



109 

From these statistics as now presented, it will be seen 
that we have forty-seven Sabbath Schools in this State, 
in which there are 750 teachers and 5496 scholars ; of 
the teachers 305 are males, and 445 females ; of the 
scholars 2413 are males, and 3083 females ; the average 
attendance of teachers is 616, and of scholars 4131. 
Almost every church has a Library for its Sabbath 
School, whether at present closed or open, the whole 
number of volumes amounting, as nearly as I can ascer- 
tain, to 17,854, The whole number of scholars connect- 
ed with the schools is 6,246. 

Sabbath Schools likewise engage the sympathies and 
hearty cooperation of other denominations besides our 
own. The Congregationalists report 295 teachers and 
2831 scholars; the Episcopalians 276 teachers and 
2188 scholars ; the Methodists about 300 teachers and 
3000 scholars ; besides schools of other denominations 
not here mentioned. The whole must amount to not 
less than 17,000 scholars, and 2,000 teachers. I have 
not seen any returns from other schools in the State, but 
make the above computations from facts that have been 
presented. It is greatly to be desired that this institu- 
tion should receive the hearty cooperation and support 
of all our churches. 

Admonished by the great remissness of our Denomi- 
nation in our religious interests in the State, and en- 
couraged by the mercy of Him who has neither aban- 
doned us, nor as yet removed our candlesticks, but has 
granted us many tokens of promise, we should inquire, 
what He will have us do 1 And aware of what we can 
do, let us strengthen the things that languish and arc 
readv to die. And what shall we do to meet our 



no 

high responsibilities in a land where Baptist sentiments 
have always been so prevalent 1 

The fault is not to be ascribed, as some have claimed, 
to the laxity of our denominational tenets, nor to the 
weakness of the voluntary principle in our civil gov- 
ernment. For our churches and our ministry can live 
without civil taxation, or government patronage. And 
this is apparent not in our own churches only, but in 
those of other sects ; also by the conviction silently and 
constantly obtaining on this subject that no one in 
christian matters ought to be interrupted, or compelled ; 
and that to the people in their voluntary associations 
should be committed the sustaining of their religious 
interests, as they in their wisdom and freedom, deem 
proper to provide. Our comparative weakness and]|inef- 
ficiency is not therefore to be traced to our political 
condition, but to our moral inertness. 

And shall this inactivity and feebleness in our reli- 
gious affairs continue 1 Shall this benumbing influence 
continue to blight our vines, and shall our fruit continue 
to blast, wither, and perish ! In 1738 there were in the 
then nine towns on the main land eight Baptist churches, 
one in each town, save Greenwich. In this town, how- 
ever, there was a Baptist meeting-house sometime pre- 
vious to 1738, but this house, together with nearly all 
the meeting-houses of that time, are either removed or 
greatly dilapidated. And not only have the houses de- 
cayed, but the churches have waned, so that, aside from 
the first church in Providence, and some three others, 
there is now but a feeble trace of the existence of these 
early churches. When another century shall close, 
God forbid such a record of the churches now repre- 
sented in this Convention. 



Ill 

On account of the fluctuating character of the factory- 
population and of the introduction of foreign help, 
churches in one year represented as thriving, frequently 
in the lapse of a few years, become most essentially 
weakened by the loss of their members. And it is on 
this account that the Board of Managers have been una- 
ble to establish a standard for determining the amount 
of appropriations ; my own judgment is in favor of some 
uniform decreasing ratio, departures from which to be 
justified by the circumstances of the churches at the time 
of their application. And our true policy is to promote 
the liberal support of our pastors by every means within 
our power. Let us not muzzle the mouth that treadeth 
out the corn — surely not the mouth of them who bring us 
the word of the Lord. 

From the returns now submitted to me in your name, 
and presented to you in this report, I regret to find that 
so little attention is given in the churches to benevolent 
contributions, prayer meetings for missions. Sabbath 
schools, to the seamen's cause, and to revivals ; and I 
regret also to find, that there exists so small a number 
of maternal meetings, and female prayer meetings — yet, 
it is interesting to observe, that religion is, by universal 
consent, the one thing, and the only thing that can really 
make a people happy. Would that such a vital interest 
might be felt in our Zion, by all our members, as would 
draw forth from every one of them the declaration of a 
deeply settled purpose, " Because of the house of the 
Lord our God, I will seek thy good." 

As the Associated Baptists of Rhode Island, we have 
met in this Convention to consider by what means we 
may sow to better advantage the good seed of the word of 
God in the soil of our fathers, and bring to greater ma- 



112 

turity that which was sown by them. And it is our 
privilege, and equally our obligation, to do what our 
hands find to do. 

There are two kinds of work necessary to be done. 
The first relates to churches in a state of debility and in 
perplexing circumstances, into which they are not un- 
frequently cast. The second embraces the establishment 
of new interests, or the cultivation of the fields already 
opened and constantly being opened, inviting our toils, 
our prayers, and our sympathies. We have much to do, 
if we would improve the soil, or even prevent tares from 
being sown by the enemy, or check their growth when they 
have sprung up. Worse evils exist in our midst than ex- 
isted thirty years ago, when generations died ignorant or 
but partially enlightened. Our towns are filling up with 
foreigners who know no religion but that which sub- 
verts the freedom secured to us by the Charter of 
Charles II, and provided for in our constitution. And 
not unfrequently our own citizens are found to sympa- 
thize with these foreigners. Eff"orts to subvert our free- 
dom, bold and daring, are talked of openly. And unless 
we make strenuous efi'orts to secure a general moral 
culture and the preservation of our rights, we shall ar- 
rive at a condition in which there is no remedy without 
acting again the scenes of our ancestral reformers. Even 
in my day I have listened to expressions like these with 
slisht emotion. 1 well remember when the lamented 
Goino- returned from his first western tour, and subse- 
quently in his annual visits to New England, how earn- 
estly he expressed his feelings, and with what pathos 
he dwelt on themes like these. But we. heard him as a 
professional secretary. I have beheld fulfilled many of 



113 

his sayings. And even in Rhode Island where were 
embodied first the conceptions of a charter of distinct 
civil and religious rights, I have seen the evidences of 
real danger. And with me you also perceive that 
but one step remains to be taken, in order that our 
very constitution become the vehicle to bring upon 
us all the evils which our forefathers dreaded, and from 
which they fled to this soil, as an asylum and a home. 
And I confess that to me it seems less strange than ever 
before, that as this State was the first public field of en- 
tire but separate civil and religious freedom, so it may 
be that the first altar upon which its adherents may be 
immolated to oppression in our day, shall here be erected. 

The plan upon which I propose we should operate is, 
either, firsts through some individual, duly appointed by 
you, whose duty it shall be, with the advice and under 
the direction of the Board, to nurse our feeble churches, 
and to preach as opportunities are presented the gospel in 
the State, seeking new situations and rearing new interests 
in our various counties ; or, second^ to divide the State into 
several districts, and after the plan of the ISCethodists in 
Wales, to appoint some minister, living in the district 
to which he may be designated, as the chairman of a 
committee, selected also from the same district, to whom 
the division shall be entrusted, with instructions to hold 
religious meetings in neighborhoods not fully occupied, 
and to visit the churches within their boundaries, and 
report to the Board, and through the Board to the Con- 
vention, at its annual sessions. 

My own judgment favors the first arrangement; for, 
as every pastor has, or ought to have, all he can do in 
his own immediate neighborhood, I fear that there will 

16 



114 

4 

be little efficiency, if we commit this work to separate 
committees. And so shall we all think, in my opinion, 
if there exist in the denomination the spirit of confi- 
dence and good feeling, so that they can intrust this high 
duty to a single person, whose mind shall be given 
wholly to the moral culture of the people ; — who shall 
pursue no other than a christian and dignified service ; — 
a service not of dollars mainly, but a pastoral, advisory, 
and ministerial service ; a service involving whatsoever 
is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report ; — 
whatsoever is praiseworthy in itself, or due to the min- 
istry of Christ, performed by any ways or means which 
the great Head of the church shall indicate and approve 
as effectual in disseminating the principles of the new- 
testament, such as we believe all true Baptists profess, 
good, sound, and just principles ; in a word, one who 
shall preach the word, hold religious meetings as he 
may be able ; gather the Sabbath Schools together at 
different times in the year, embracing sections contigu- 
ous, and devote his entire energy to the cause of Christ 
in connection with our churches, not as a secular, but 
as a truly religious man ; this I think will be doing the 
work with effective power, and filling a station, than 
which, none can be more honorable or more useful ; — 
nor can there be any one human agency from which we 
can hope to reap so much advantage, if the Spirit at- 
tend the work, as He did in the times of the primative 
preachers, and as it is promised that He will accompany 
the faithful ministrations of the gospel. 

In my late visits to our churches I have not gone as 
an agent, but as a minister of Christ. My business 
was not to obtain their pecuniary means, but to preach 



115 

the gospel, to tender to them your christian salutation, 
endeavoring to stir up their minds to their obligations 
to Jesus Christ. I doubt not, however, should your 
suffrages be given, that he who accepts them, will put 
the people in a remembrance of their obligation, and at 
times even make direct application for funds to sustain 
the objects approved by you. But my impression is that 
Rhode Island needs, and imperiously demands, an in- 
fluence EMINENTLY PASTORAL. For the waut of it, she 
sadly bleeds ; and in the absence of it, year after year, 
during our two centuries of civil existence, she has remain- 
ed torpid ; dying, yet breathing ; yea, panting for that, 
she knew not what, — this very i)astoral poiver. And as 
one among you, should such an appointment be made 
as I have described, I desire that he may not he recog- 
nized, or spoken of as an Agent, respectable and useful 
as such officers are in our many associations, hut as a 
minister among our churches ^ whose great duty it is, to 
improve to his utmost efort, under Christ, our Rhode 
Island Baptist State Pastorate. 

And in this place permit me to express my convic- 
tion that the proposition now presented, is practicable, 
and to assure you that the sympathies of the people to 
a very great extent will be with you in this measure. 
I have conversed with brethren in various towns, whose 
judgment approves it. And I see not why we should 
not immediately go forth into a territory, settled, and in 
the beginning for many years occupied almost exclu- 
sively by Baptists. Not that we would interfere with 
other forms of doctrine varying from our own, but on 
grounds sacred to all, act as those who are fully per- 
suaded in their own minds, being accountable to no other 



116 

than the Lord of the conscience for our religious be- 
lief, and in our actions also amenable only to him, un- 
less we violate common law and offend against the civil 
rights of our neighbors ; rights which law must protect, 
and which law, every member in the community ought 
by every means in his power fully to sustain, or suffer a 
righteous penalty. 

In conclusion, tendering to you, my best wishes for 
your personal and mutual usefulness, I ask you to ac- 
cept the printed and written report, made by each of 
our fifty-one churches, detailing vaiious facts connected 
with their respective bodies, and which I herewith lay 
on your table, to be placed upon the files of your secre- 
tary. Also, as much of the time of the Pastor of the 
Central Baptist Church in Newport, has been devoted 
to this mission, to an account of which you have now 
listened, I request your acceptance as from them of 
the bill of his travelling, postage, and other expenses, 
amounting in even figures, to seventy dollars. 

And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
THE love of God, and the communion of the Holy 
Ghost, be with you all. 

Your servant for Jesus' sake, 

HENRY JACKSON. 



117 



OFFICERS OF THE 

RHODE-ISLAND BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION 

FOE THE YEAR 1853-4. 

President, James N. Granger, Providence. 
Vice-President, Henry Jackson, Newport. 

Corresponding Secretary, 

Recording Secretary, Joseph C. Hartshorn, Providence. 
Treasurer, Rhodes B. Chapman, Providence. 



BOARD OF 
F. Wayland, Providence, 
T. C. Jameson, " 
B. Spencer, Lippitt and Phenix, 
F. Smith, Providence, 
S. W. Field, Providence, 
James Boyce, " 
B. Peck, " 

S. Adlani, Newport, 
J. O. Choules, " 
B. Miner, Providence, 
A. M. Gammell, Warren, 



MANAGERS. 

F. Denison, Westerly, 
Wm. Phillips, Providence, 
George Pierce, Pawtuxet, 
J. H. Read, Providence, 
J. B. Breed, Woonsocket, 
J. E. Chesshire, Wickford, 
E. Savage, Pawtucket, 
V. J. Bates, Providence, 
J. C. Welsh, 
I. M. Church, S. Kingston. 



Asa Newell, Providence, 



AUDITORS. 

J. H. Read, Providence. 



Life-Members of the Convention, 1854. 



Adlam Rev. Samuel, 
Albro Stephen B. 
*Allen John, 
Amsbury Jesse, 
Andrews William, 
Anthony Lorenzo D. 
Arnold Rev. Albert N. 
Arnold Mrs. Frances R. 
Arnold Richard J. 
Asher Rev. Jeremiah, 
Avery William D. 
Aylesworth John, 
Babcock Amos, 
Babcock Cynl, 
Bailey Benjamin D. 
Bailey Mrs. Urania L. 
Baker Elisha W. 
Baker Rev. John H. 
Barker Simeon, 
Barker Wm. H. 
Barrows E. S. 
Barrus William L. 
Bates Mrs. Joanna, 
Bates Nahum, 
Bates Varnum J. 

♦Deceased. 



*Bates Whitman, 
Benedict Rev. D. 
Benedict S. Gano, 
Benedict LTriah, 
Bishop Nathan, 
Blake David B. 
Boise Prof. James R. 
Boardman George D. 
Bowen Allan, jun. 
Boyce James, 
Bradford Rev. S. S. 
Bradley William, 
Brayton Rev. Jonathan, 
Brown Rev. Allen, 
Brown Hugh H. 
Budlong James E. 
Budlong Rebecca A. 
Buffington George W. 
Bullock Mrs. Anna D. 
Bump Nathaniel, 
Burdiek Rev. D. M. 
Burgess Alexander, 
Burgess Rev. I. J. 
Burrows John R. 
Rutler James H. 



Byram Rev. B. P. 
Cannon John, 
Carr Mrs. Mary T. 
Carr T. T. 
Caswell Rev. Alexis, 
Chace Prof. George I. 
Chace Otis, 
Chace Perry J. 
Chaplin Rev. Jeremiah 
Chapman Rhodes B. 
Chesshire Rev. J. E. 
Choules Rev. John O. 
Clapp Russell, 
Clark Rev. George K. 
Clark Mrs. Lydia, 
Cogswell Rev. Wilson, 
Clole Samuel J. 
(/oleman Jesse, 
Crandall Henrie, 
Crocker Rev. G. D. 
Crocker Josiah F. 
Daniels Dexter, 
*Daniels George P. 
Daniels Hannah P. 
Davis Rev. John, 



118 



Day Daniel, 
Dayton L. 
Denham Daniel C. 
Denison Rev. F. 
*Dexter John, 
*Dexter Levi C. 
Dexter Mrs. Sarah, 
Douglas Rev. William 
Dowling Rev. John, 
Dowling Rev. Thomas, 
Drowne Henry B. 
DriscoU Hannah, 
Durfee Sanford, 
Eddy Richard E. 
Eddy John S. 
Elliott Lemuel H. 
*Ellis Augustus, 
Ely Dr. J. W. C. 
Fairbrother Lewis, 
*Fenner Thomas, 
Field Rev. Samuel W. 
Foley Tliomas W. 
Fuller Rev. Edward K. 
Fyfe Rev. Robert A. 
Fyfe Mrs. Rebecca S. 
Gammell A. M. 
Gammell Prof. Wm. 
Gamwell Albert A. 
Gerald Samuel A. 
Giles Miss Susan H. 
Goddard Isaac, 
Goff Ira D. 
Gorham Charles, 
Gowdey James A. 
Gower Rev. H. B. 
Graves Rev. J. M. 
Granger Rev. J. N. 
Green Mrs. Cornelia E. 
Green Russell, 
Greene Benjamin, 
Greene John W. 
Greene Prof. S. S. 
Green William C. 
Greenwood Walter, 
Guild George, 
Guild Reuben A. 
Hague Rev. William, 
Hail George, 
Ham AV'illiam, 
Plarkness Albert, 
Hazard Joseph AV. 
Heddeu Rev. B. F. 
Hoar Lewis, 
Holroyd James M. 



Holyrod Mrs. C. V. 
Rowland Benj. B. 
Hudson William II. 
Humphreys Wm. S. 
Ives Mrs. Hope, 
Jackson Rev. Henry, 
Jackson Mrs. Maria T. 
Jackson Phebe, 
Jameson Rev. T. C. 
Jameson Mrs. Lucinda L. 
Jastram George B. 
Jenckes Jabez W. 
Jencks J. F. 
JoUs John F. 
Kingsley James W. 
Knowles Mrs. Susan E. 
Lake William D. 
Langley Joshua H. 
Langley Nath'l H. 
Langley William C. 
Lawton Gideon, 
Lincoln Rev. J. W. 
Lincoln Prof. John L. 
Ludlow Clarissa Ann, 
Ludlow Sally L 
Luther Job, 
Lyon Merrick, 
Manchester Giles, 
Marchant Henry, 
Marsh Benjamin, 
IMartln Philip W. 
Martin Silvanus G. 
Mason George B. 
Mason Joseph R. 
Mason Nathan 
Mason Stephen G. 
Mathewson Mrs. E. 
Mathewson Nathan F. 
Matteson Rev. N. H. 
Millard William C. 
Miller Mrs. Ann Eliza, 
Miller Frederick, 
*Miller Pardon, 
Miner Rev. Bradley, 
Morse Susan, 
Munger Enos, 
Newell Asa, 
Northup Thomas G. 
Olney James, 
Paine John J. 
Pattison Rev. R. E. 
Pearce Mrs. Lydia, 
Peck George B. 
Peck George H. 



Peck Josias L. 
Philips Rev. WiUiam, 
Pierce Rev. George, 
Pike Jonathan, 
Potter Miss Maria L. 
Prevaux Rev. Francis E. 
Read Cyrus B. 
Read James H. 
Read Joshua, 
Rhodes Benjamin H. 
Rhodes Rev. Christ'r, 
Richards Rev. Samuel, 
Richardson T. A. 
Rogers Mrs. Eliza B. 
Rogers Zoan, 
Ross Daniel V. 
Rounds Daniel, 
Robbins Charles, 
Russell Rev. J. W. 
Salisbury Luther, 
Sanders Edwin, 
Satterlee A. B. 
Saunders Henry, 
Saunders Jacob, 
Savage Rev. Edward, 
Schubarth N. B. 
Seabury T. M. 
Seagraves Rev. E. 
Serrington Rev. W. B. 
*Shaw Charles, 
Shaw George C. 
Sheldon Miss Mary, 
Sherman George J. 
Sherman James H. 
Slater Mrs. Sarah J. 
Slocum S. 
Slocum Samuel D. 
Smith Edward, 
Smith Rev. Francis, 
Smith Rev. Joseph, 
Spencer Wm. B. 
Spink Nicholas N. 
Stevens Philip, 
Stewart Rev. Henry G. 
Stillman Ira, 
Stillman O. M. 
Stillwell Abraham G. 
Stillwell Samuel S. 
Stone Gilman, 
Stuart A. P. S. 
Sweet jNIenzies, 
Taylor Rev. A. H. 
Teft Thomas A. 
«Thaver Seth, 



119 



Thurber Miss Hetty, 
Tillinghast Allen, 
Tillinghast Charles E. 
Tillinghast Rev. J. A. 
Tobey Rev. Zalmon, 
Townsend Solomon, 
Verrinder Rev. Wm. 
Vincent Joseph R. 
Wadsworth J. A. 
Wait Gideon, 
Warren David B. 



Waterman George, 
Wayland Rev. Francis, 
Wayland Heman L. 
Wayland Mrs. H. S. H. 
Wells Elisha C. 
Welch Stillman, 
Welsh Rev. John C. 
Wheaton James, 
Wheeler O. C. 
Whipple Miss Anna, 



*WhippIe Arnold, 
Whipple Mrs. Phebe, 
White Franklin, 
Wilbur Asa, 
Willard Rev. Geo. A. 
Willard Lucius A. 
Willis George C. 
Woods Rev. Alva, 
Yeomans Henry P. 
Yorke John, 



[Life members whose names are omitted in the above list, will please men- 
tion the fact to the Recording Secretary.] 



The following named persons sustain the office of the 
Christian Ministry in Rhode Island, according to the 
usages of their respective denominational orders. The 
names of those not pastors are in italics. 

Associated Baptists. — Francis Wayland^ James N. 
Granger, Alexis Caswell, Alva Woods, William Doug- 
lass, Henri/ Day, Samuel W. Field, John C. Welsh, 
William Philips, J. C. Hartshorn, Bradley Miner, 
Chauncey G. Leonard, Warren Randolph, George R 
Darrow, Perry Davis, Francis Smith, William B. Ser- 
rington, Zalmon Tohey, John O. Choules, Edward Savage, 
Jonathan Brayton, David M. Burdick, Isaac N. Hobart, 

George Pierce, /. F. Bigelow, Warren, John 

E. Chesshire, C. Casson Lewis, Samuel Adlam, George 
H. Clark, Benedict Johnson, Jun., Isaac M. Church, F. 
Denison, J. A. Tillinghast, John Tillinghast, S. A. 
Thomas, Benjamin F. Hedden, S. B. Bailey, J. P. Bur- 
bank, G. A. Willard, Henry Jackson, Ira Bates, J. W. 
Allen, A. A. Ross, A. Sheldon, G. Silver, D. Benedict, 
J. B. Breed, F. Wiley, J. Blain, S. S. Mallery, S. S. 

Bradford, E. Seagraves, P. Tillinghast, Palmer, 

W. Archer, R. Dennis, E. J. Lock. Pastors supply- 
ing regvdarly 38— others 20 — -in all 58. 



120 

Six Principle Baptists. — John Gardner, John Slo- 
cum, Thomas Tillinghast, S. Kenyon, T. S. Tillinghast, 
J. Tillinghast, D. R Knight, J". Potter, W. P. Place, P. 
Harrington, W. Pearce, G. W. Putter, S Knight, A. 
Aldrich, W. R Slocum, B. Slociim, B. B. Cottrel, N. 
W, Warner, A. J. Harrington, W. Storier, S. Matteson, 
JR. Knight. 

Free Will Baptists.— G. T. Day, E. Scott. J. Pratt, 
E. R Rose, W. H. Hastings, R. Allen, H Quimhy, A, 
Brown, J. B. Smith, P. Nocake, E. Noyes, D. Lancaster, 
M. Phillips, /. S. Mowry, J. A. M'Kenzie, B. Phalon, 

D. P. Harrison, A. Diirfee, E. White, D. Williams, H. 
C. Hopkins, T. C. Brown, W. N. Patt, L. Parker, W. 
Dick, D. Carr, J. Hammond, D. R Whittemore, E. R 
Littleiield. 

Christian Baptists. — A. G. Martin, D. Knowlton, J. 
Onell, W. ShurtlefF, C. Bugbee, G. L. Smith, J. Wallen, 
J. Burlingame, M. B. Hopkins, N. Luther, J. Taylor, 
N. Sweet, G. Williams. 

Seventh Day Baptists. — L. Crandall, C. Lewis, D. 
Coon, H. Clark, J. Greene, A. B. Burdick. 

Episcopalians. — N. B. Crocker, G. Taft, H. Water- 
man, J. Trapnell, Jun., J. Kellog, D. C. Millett, H. 
Williams, D. R Brewer, B. Watson, K. J. Stewart, T. 
H. Vail, B. P. Talbot, G. W. Hathaway, E. P. Gray, S. 
A. Crane, F. J. Warner, W. H. Mills, G. W. Chevers, 

E. F. Watson, G. Anthony, J. H. Fames, J. Bristed, 
L. Burge, J. H Carpenter, R. B. Fairhain, D. Hen- 
shaw, K L. Drown, K W. Stokes, P. Tocque. 

CoNGREGATioNALisTS, ORTHODOX. — S. S. Hyde, T. Shcp- 
ard, S. Blane, D. Andrews, J. Leavitt, T. A. Taylor, 
J. Mann, C. C. Beaman, S. Wolcott, R H. Conklin, O. 



121 

F. Otis, G. Uhler, J. C. Seagrave, R Toney, L. Swain, 
T. Thayer, E. H. Blan chard, J. Keid, S. S. Tappan. 

Associate Presbyterian. — A. H. Dumont, JR.. P. 
Dunn, (O. S.) 

CONGREGATIONALTSTS, UnITARIAM.-^E. B. Hail, C. T. 

Brooks, F. H. Hedge, E. M. Stone. 

AVesleyan Methodist — J. M. H. Dow. 

Methodist Episcopal. — S. C. Brown, D. Patten, J* 
Hinson, W. T. Harlow, J. Cady, S. Benton, G. W. 
Stearns, J, Lovejoy, C. Hammond, C. Banning, C. Na- 
son, P. Crandon, H. H. Smith, E. A. Lyon, W. Cone, 
C. S. Hazard, H. C. Atwater, B. Allyn, L. B. Bates, D. 
Fillmore, J. Fillmore, E. S. Stanley, G. C. Bancroft. 

Universalists. — E. A. Eaton, T. D. Cook, B. B. Nich- 
olas, A. C. Abbot, J. Boyden, Jun. 

Swedenborgians.— -J. Prentice, Greene. 

Second Advent. — G. W. Burnham, G. Needham. 

Roman Catholics. — B. O'Peiley, J. Hughes, O. Gor- 
man, J. Stokes, T. Quinn, D. Wheeler, P. Delancy, P. 
Lanaham, J. O'Reilly, J. Gibson, J. Fitten, J. McName, 
J. P. Cahill, P. Lamb, H. Carmody. 

Society of Friends.— T. Anthony, P. Greene, E. 
Peckham, T. C. Collins, L. Almy, S. B. Tobey, J. Head- 
er, E. Header, H. Header, H. Robinson, A. D. Wing, 
M. Beede, T. Gould, G. Congdon. 

Great interest has been recently created among all 
denominations of christians in the cause of ministerial 
education, because of the great want of ministers to 
preach the word of life. In the records of the last Provi- 
dence Annual Conference of the Hethodist Episcopal 
Church, the following resolution, expressive alike of 
the feelings of every christian heart, was unanimously 

16 



122 

adopted; it exhibits the convictions of that body of 
believers on this subject. 

" Resolved, In view of the great want of ministers to 
supply the work within the bounds of this Conference, 
that the first Friday in September be observed as a day 
of Fasting and Prayer, and that on said day our people 
be respectfully requested to assemble in their places of 
worship, and humbly, unitedly, and earnestly implore 
' the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers 
into His harvest,' and that the Baptism of the Holy 
Ghost may be graciously vouchsafed to the Zion of God." 

There are three principles laid down in a work pub- 
lished in 1681, which as Baptists, we shall, I trust, ever 
maintain and advocate, viz : " Taking the Holy Scrip- 
tures as their only perfect rule in all religious matters — 
allowing each rational person to judge of their meaning 
for himself — and holding that all the power of office and 
government in the church of Christ is derived from him, 
by his word and Spirit, to each particular church, and 
not by a local succession from any other power in 
the world." " And so far as any have declined from 
this last principle," the same writer remarks, " there- 
in they have rejected a main reason of separation from 
the church of Home." 

To the reader, unacquainted with the facts, it may ap- 
pear somewhat peculiar that so much has been printed 
in this volume respecting the senior Baptist date in this 
country. But as an historical fact, I felt that it was im- 
portant that it should be determined ; and also to ac- 
count for the well known proceedings at the baptism of 
Williams. It appeared very strange, if, as has been 
claimed, Mr. Clark was a settled Baptist minister in New- 



128 

port in March, 1638, that Mr. Williams and his ten as- 
sociates, did not invite him to perform this sacred rite, 
instead of one of their own number ; and especially as 
Mr. "Williams and Mr. Clark, during their whole ac- 
quaintance, cherished towards each other the very kind- 
est affection. The truth is, as I believe, Mr. Clark was 
not at that time an administrator. It is self evident if 
he had been, that Mr. Williams and his brethren would 
have availed themselves of his services. But I have as 
yet been unable from any source, to learn when Mr. 
Clark became a baptist, although he conducted religious 
meetings from 1638. Neither Comer nor Callender, say a 
word about it. If he was a baptist in England, he is 
not recognized as such in any journal now extant in this 
country before the schism in Newport in 1641, if in- 
deed he was, according to Comer, (the earliest Baptist 
Historian in America) prior to 1644. 

It is clear from Mr. Comer's manuscript, referred to 
on page 95, that in his opinion no church of any denom- 
ination had been formed on the Island prior to 1644, 
for in his History there named, he expressly states, that 
Mr. Clark and his friends, having secured a civil organ- 
ization, six years after their jjurchase, sought to make 
provision for their souls through the establishment of a 
church, which they then (1644) formed. 

It is to present Mr. Williams as the father of civil and 
religious liberty, and to identify the first christian bap- 
tism in America ; to illustrate also the high position of 
Mr. Clark in the same respects for which Mr. Williams 
is distinguished, that the writer has entered upon this 
discussion. 

Some few typographical errors have occurred, not- 
withstanding all the care that has been exercised. But 



124 

I am happy to state that these are merely such, except 
in the date of Washington County on page 35, which 
should be not 1779, but 1729; and on page 39, it 
should be John and Sarah Stanton ; and the name Howes 
in the Warren church should be L. I. Hoar, and in the 
Lime Rock church, the deacon's name should be E. Ide ; 
and in page 56, line 13th from the bottom, it should 
read " are punished ;" and on page 68, the date should 
be not 1703, but 1803; and on page 77, the presiding 
officer of the Trustees, should be styled not President, 
but Chancellor; and on page 94, the Clerk of the First 
Westerly Church should be Buel, and not Bull ; and on 
page 95, the settlement of Eev. Mr. Granger should be 
1842, and not 1853. 

It is due also that I tender to Reuben A. Guild, Esq., 
of Providence, the thanks of the Board of the Conven- 
tion for his exceedingly valuable services in the super- 
intendance of this publication — a work of great care and 
patience. Also to Eev. Messrs. Burbank, Denison, and 
Brayton, and to Messrs. Steadman, Spencer, and Arnold 
of Cumberland, for their very kind and generous servi- 
ces in my tours. In relation to the city of Newport as 
described on page 29, the writer was led into a slight 
error. The true record is, having obtained a charter, 
the citizens accepted it June 1, 1784, and Hon. George 
Hazard was elected mayor, and P. Baker, clerk. This 
government continued until March 22, 1787, when by 
a political influence, created through the opposition of 
Mr. N. Easton to the decree of a mutual referee, by 
which the control of the first Beach had been awarded 
to the city, the charter was surrendered in conformity to 
the decision of the Legislature, and a vote of thanks 



125 

passed on the 27th, to the city officers for the efficient 
and excellent services they had performed; who were 
also, as additional testimony of the public confidence, 
elected to the Town Council immediately upon the re- 
turn of the city to its original town government. But 
Mr. Easton in the end secured nothing hereby ; for the 
Beach, from the period of that decision has been, as at 
present it is, under the government of the constituted 
authorities of Newport. 



126 



CIVIL GOYERNMENT OF RHODE ISLAND, 
January, 1854. 



FRANCIS M. DIMOND, Bristol, 
Governor and Ex-officio Pre&ident of the Senate; 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Asa Potter of South liingstown, Secretary of State. 

Walter S. Surges of Cranston, Attorney General. 

Edwin Wilbur of Newport, General Treasurer. 

LuciAS C. Ashley, Clerk of the Senate. 

Benj. F. Thurston, Speaker of the House. 

William J. !Miller and John Eddy, Clerks of the House. 



SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. 

Towns. Newport. Senator — Isaac P. Hazard. Representatives — Henry 
Y. Cranston, Joseph Anthony, Thomas R. Hunter, Seth Bateman, John T. 
Bush. 

Middletown. Senator — John Gould. Representative — Abner Ward. 

PoRTSMOUUH. Senator — George W. Chace. Representative — George 
Manchester. 

Tiverton. Senator — Joseph Osborne. Representatives — George W. 
Humphrey, Augustus Chace, Nathaniel B. Durfee. 

Little Compton. Senator — Nathaniel Church. Representative — Oliver 
C. Brownell. 

New Shoreham. Senator — Samuel Dunn. Representative — Anderson 
C. Rose. 

Jainiestown. Senator — George C. Carr. Representative — WiUiam A. 
Weeden, Jun. 

Providence. Senator — Thomas P. Shepard. Representatives — Edward 
S. Lyon, Henry J. Angell, Americus V. Potter, Samuel True, Clarke Steere, 
Henry J. Burroughs, Nathaniel A. Eddy, Daniel Remington, Benjamin F, 
Thurston, WilUam E. Peck, Benjamin B. Knight, Thomas Pierce, Jr. 

Smithfield. Senator — Robert Harris. Representatives — Israel Sayles, 
John Fenner, Emor Coe, Thomas Steere, Elisha Mowry, 2d, Samuel D. 
Slocum. 

Glocester. Senator — Cyrus Farnum. Representatives — Jesse P. Bal- 
lou, George L. Owen. 

SciTUATE. Senator — Ira Cowee. Representatives — Jonah Titus, Albert 
K. Barnes. 

Cranston. Senator — H. A. Potter. Representatives — Almorau Harris, 
Albert S. Gallup. 



127 

Johnston. Senator — Alfred Anthony. Representatives — "William Baker,, 
William H. Mattbewson. 

North Providence. Senator — Charles S. Bradley. Representatives — 
John Tucker, William E. Dodge, Enoch Brown, John H. Weeden. 

Cumberland.- Senator — Lyman Burlingame. Representatives — Lewis 
B. Arnold, John E. Brown, Mowry Taft, AVilliam Whipple. 

Burrilville. Senator — Burrill Logee. Representatives — Esten Angell 
Josiah S. Thayer. 

Foster. Senator — William G. Stone. Representative — Eichard Howard. 

North Kingston. Senator — John J. Reynolds. Representatives — Syl- 
vester G. Shearman, George A. Davis. 

South Kingston. Senator — Stephen A. Wright. Representatives — ■ 
John C. Perry, George L. Hazard. 

Westerly. Senator — Charles Maxon. Representative — Nathan F. Dixon. 

Charlestown. Senator — Jos. H. Cross. Representative — Joseph Gavitt. 

EiCHMOND. Senator — George Weeden. Representative — Daniel Kenyon. 

HoPKiNTON. Senator — John S. ChampUn. Represe7itative — Jonathan 
E. Wells. 

Exeter. Senator — Isaac Greene. Representative — John Hoxie. 

Warwick. Senator — John Brown Francis. Representatives — Simon H. 
Greene, Christopher Holden, Pardon Spencer, Eandall Holden, 2d. 

Coventry. Senator — William S. Hams. Representatives — Cromwell 
Whipple, Levi Johnson. 

East Greenwich. Senator — Walter Spencer. Representative — John 
Shippee. 

West Greenwich. Senator — Thomas T. Hazai'd. Representative — 
William B. Whitford. 

Bristol. Senator — Benjamin Plall. Representatives — John B. Munro, 
J. EusseU Bullock. 

Warren. Senator — Henry H. Luther. Representatives — Alfred Bos- 
worth, Eodoljihus B. Johnson. 

Barrington. Senator — Allin Bicknell. Representative — Pardon Clarke. 



SUPREME COUET OF EHODE ISLAND, 
Richard W. Greene of Providence, Chief Justice, 
Levi Haile of Warren, Associate Justice. 
William R. Staples of Providence, Associate Justice. 
George A. Brayton of Warwick, Associate Justice. 



Clerks of Supreme Court. Clerks of Court Com. Pleas. 

Newport County, George C. Shaw, George C. Shaw, 

Providence " Edwin Metcalf, Levi Salisbury, 

Washington " Edwin H. Champlin, Edwin H. Champlin, 

Bristol " John W. Dearth, John W. Dearth, 

Kent " Torris M. Evans, Hazard Carder. 



128 

SHERIFFS. 

Newport County, Richard Shaw ; 
Providence County, Robert G. Lewis ; 
Washington County, Nathan B. Lillibridge ; 
Bristol County, John S. Poarce; 
Kent County, Alexander Allen. 



UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. 

B. R. CuRTiss of Boston, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of U. S. 
John Pitman of Providence, District Judge. 
John T. Pitman of Providence, Clerk. 



Charles T. James of Providence, Senator in Congress. 

Philip Allen of Providence, Senator in Congress. 

Thomas Davis of North Providence, Representative from Eastern 
District. 

Benjamin B. Thurston of Hopkinton, Representative from Western 
District. 



Sayles, Miller and Simons, Printers to the State. 



CHRONOLOGICAL REGISTER. 

It is not inappropriate, and I trust it will not be unacceptable, if a chrono- 
logical register of some additional events, (American principally,) be append- 
ed to a document so statistical as the one now presented. 
1492. America was discovered October 12th, by Christopher Columbus, a 

Genoese, employed in the service of Ferdinand and Isabella, of the 

United kingdoms of Aragon and Castile, or the kingdom of Spain ; 

from which there was obtained for the Spanish crown, a vast increase 

of possessions and wealth. 
1578-9. England shared largely in the riches of America, under a Patent 

granted by Queen Elizabeth. Also from another Patent, March 25th, 

1584 ; a year memorable also for the establishment in Spain of the 

" Inquisition." 
1602. Capt. Gosnold failed to settle in New England, a country which he 

had at this date discovered. 

1606. Virginia was divided into two Colonies, April 10th, by the order of 
King James, and called Noi-th and South Colony. 

1607. Virginia settled by Capt. John Smith, who gave it its present name. 
1620. In 1517 learning was revived in Europe, the Reformation was begun 

by Luther, and others in Germany, and was carried forward, particu- 
larly in England, Until its final establishment by an Act of Parliament 



129 

under Queen Elizabeth. On account of the great zeal of very many 
persons to remove from among them every vestige of popery and su- 
perstition, and to make the Bible their real rule in "worship and disci- 
pline, as well as in faith, they were soon denominated by the opposing 
party, Puritans, because they sought a purer church than that party 
thought was necessary. And the settlements of New England, in fact, 
were a consequence that resulted from the disputes wliich had attend- 
ed the reformation in England. In 1608-9 several of the Puritans re- 
siding in the north of England, removed to Holland. After about 
twelve years residence in Leyden, the town where they had settled, 
they obtained a Patent of lands in this country, and soon afterwards 
sailed for America. They arrived at Cape Cod, on the 9th of Novem- 
ber, 1620; bnt finding serious obstructions to their settlement there, 
they concluded to locate at a place called by the Indians, Patuxet ; 
and landed the month ensuing, Dec. 2 2d, naming it New Plymouth. 
They became permanently estabhshed at Plymouth by a Patent wliich 
they had obtained "from the New England Company, the 13th of 
January, 1629-30." Almost all the first settlers of New England 
were Puritans. 

1633. The Fii*st Free School in New England was founded at Charlestown, 
Mass. 

1643. Confederation of the New England Colonies for mutual defence was 
formed. 

1664. New York was surrendered by the Dutch to the English. 

1732. George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, 
February 22d. 

1 738. John Callender, preached his Century Sermon at Newport, March 24th. 

1 744. French war was began, and continued until 1 748. 

1754. French war was renewed — it was declared in 1756, and terminated in 
1763. 

1758. Newport Mercury was established June 12. 

1765. Stamp Act was passed by Parliament — repealed in 1766. 

1765. First Colonial Congress assembled at New York. 

1767. Duties were imposed on tea, paper, glass, and painter's colors. 

1773. British tea was destroyed at Boston. 

1774. Boston Port Bill was passed. 

1 7 74. First Continental Congress assembled in Carpenter's Hall, in Phila- 
delphia, on Monday, Sept. 5th. The session was oi)ened with prayer 
by the venerable Jacob Duche, of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

1775. The first blood was shed at Lexington, Mass., on Wednesday, A])r\\ 19th> 
being the commencement of the Revolutionary war. June 1 7th, the Bat- 
tle at Breed's and Bunker Hill was fought, and Charlestown was burnt. 

1775. At the Second Continental Congress, convened in New York, Geokge 



tu 

Washington, aged 43 years, was on June 15th unanimously elected 
by ballot, Commander-in-Chief of the American armies. 

1776. Thursday, July 4th, Independence of the United States was de- 
clared by Congress, then in Session in Philadelphia, and the name of 
Colonies was blotted out forever. 

1777. Articles of Confederation were signed by the thirteen States. 

1777. Gilbert Mottier Lafayette of France, arrived at Charleston, 
South Carolina, April 25th, aged nineteen years, he having been born 
Sept. Gth, 1757. 

1778. The Treaty of Alliance with France was made. 

1 780. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences was instituted. 

1781. The Confederation of the States was confirmed. 

1781. The Bank of North America, New York, the first American Bank, 
was instituted. 

1782. The first seventy-four gun-ship in the United States was built at 
Portsmouth. 

1783. Saturday, April 19th, proclamation of Peace with England was made 
at the New-Building in Philadelphia ; and prayer was offered by the 
venerable John Gano, Pastor of Gold-street Baptist Church, New 
York ; a chaplain also in the war. 

1783. Thursday, Dec. 4th, George Washington took an affectionate leave of 
his officers then in New York ; and on Tuesday, the 23d, he resigned 
his commission to Congress, assembled to receive it, at Annapolis, Md. 

1 784. The first American voyage from New York to China was made this 
year. 

1787. George Washington presided at the Convention to form a Constitution 
for the Union, which was adopted by Virginia in December, -and by 
one State after another during years 1787-90. 

1789. The Constitution of the Uuited States takes the place of the Articles 
of Confederation, which had been found to be in their operation weak 
and inefficient. 

1789. George Washington at the age of fifty-six years was unanimously 
chosen President, and took the oath of office in New York, April 
30th, it being administered to him by Chancellor Livingston. The 
principles of the Constitution were put into operation by Washing- 
ton, and the country soon after rose from extreme depression ; it has 
since Increased in population, commerce, wealth, and power, to a de- 
gree heretofore unexampled. 

1791. The first United States Bank was established in February, and its 
charter expired March 4th, 1811. The Providence Bank was incor- 
porated in October, 1791. 

1792. Telegraph was invented by Chappe, and one was established in 
France in 1793, by the National Parliament. 



131 

1 793. 'WiLLA>r Carey was appointed missionary to India, Jan. 9tli, and 

sailed from England, Thursday, June 13tb. 
1793. George Washington was elected for another term, March 4th. He 

retired to his private residence at Mt. Vernon, March 4th, 1797. 

1 798. Under the apprehensions of foreign aggression, Washington was elect- 
ed for the second time, July 3d, Commander-in-Chief of the American 
army. He accepted the commission on the condition that he might 
select his own officers. He was not called to the field, the difficulties 
with France having been amicably adjusted. 

1799. Previous to the reception of this adjustment, and while ix Com- 
mand, George Washington died at his own house, at 10 1-2 o'clock, 
P. M., December 14th, and was hurried in his own tomb on the 18th, 
aged sixty-seven years and ten months. 

1799. The Massachusetts Missionary Society for foreign as well as home 
missions was organized at Boston, May 28th. 

1800. The city of Washington became the seat of the general government 
1800. The first Fire and Mai-ine Insurance office was established in Rhode Isl- 
and. Richard Jackson, Jr., was President from its origin until his death, 
which occurred on April 18th, 1838, a period of thirt)--eight years. 

1802. ISLay 2Gth, the Massachusetts Baptist ISIissionary Society was organized 
at Boston. 

1803. The Baptist Magazine was published for the first time September 1st. 

1806. The Female Mite Society, of the Baptist Churches Providence, was 
constituted November 11th, being the first and oldest Missionary or- 
ganization in Rhode Island. 

1807. FuLTOX first uses Steamboats on the Hudson river, the first boats o 
their kind in America. R. Fulton died March 24th, 1815. 

1808. The abolition of the slave trade was effected. 

1809. Cotton Manufactories are now being multiplied ; they have now become 
very numerous, and furnish large business for the country generally. 

1810. American Board of Commissioners for Foreign jNIissions, was formed 
at Bradford, June 29th, 1810. 

1810-11. Gas introduced to light streets in London, and public buildings-* 
greatly increased in 1815. 

1811. First Steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers this year. 

1812. Baptist Foreign Missionary Society was organized October 14th, at 
Boston. 

1812. Adoniram Judson, Jun., and wife were baptized at Calcutta, India, 
September 5th, Lords' day. He died at sea, April 12th, 1851. 

1812. June 18th, the United States declare war against England. Treaty 
of Peace was concluded at Ghent, December 24th, 1814. Gen. Jack- 
son's battle at New Orleans was fought January 8th, 1815. 

1814. General Missionary Convention of the Baptist denomination in the 



132 

U. S. was organized at First Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Wednesday^ 
May 18th. 

1815. The American Education Society was instituted. 

1816. The Second U. S. Bank, established April 10th. Gen. Jackson re- 
moved the deposits of the government in 1835, and the Bank ceased 
in a short time to exist. 

1816. The American Bible Society was instituted. 

1816. The Khode Island Baptist Education Society was formed September 

11th. The Massachusetts Baptist Education Society was constituted 

in 1814. 

1819. Chi'istian Watchman first published May 19th. 

1820. Jonathan Maxcy second President of Brown University deceased 
June 4th, aged 52 years. He was born September 12th, 17C8. He 
was the same age of President IManning, his predecessor. 

1820. The two hundredth anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at 
Plymouth, was celebrated at Plymouth, December 2 2d. 

1821. Florida was ceded by Spain to the United States. 

1824. The American Sunday School Union was established in Philadelphia, 
May 25th. 

1824. Gen. Lafiiyette visits the United States, by invitation of President 
Monroe, and lands in New York in August. He was at Breeds Hill 
June 1 7th, 1825. He returned to France, Sept. 7th, 1825. His death 
occured at La Grange, France, May 20th, 1834. 

1825. The Rhode Island Baptists State Convention was formed Thursday, 
August 4th. 

1825. Newton Theological Institution was founded at Newton, Mass. 

1825. The Erie Can£il was completed. 

1825. The American Temperance Society was instituted. 

1827. The rails at Quincy, were the first rails laid in the United States. 
Railways are of ancient date. One at New Castle, in England, was 
constructed in 167G ; and an iro7i railway was constructed at the Shef-- 
field Colliery in 1776. An act of incorjioration was granted to the 
Boston and Lowell Railroad Company in 1830; and also in June 
1831, to each of the respective companies of the Boston and 
Worcester, Boston and Taunton, Boston and Providence. And sub- 
sequently to the New Bedford and Taunton, Providence and Stoning- 
ton. Providence and Worcester, Fall River and Boston, Providence 
and Fishkill, Bristol and Providence, Newport and Fall River, which 
last is now in the hands of a Conunittee, appointed at a city gathering 
Dec. 17th, 1853. 

1830. The Northern Baptist Education Society was formed March 24th. 

1832. The American Baptist Home INIissionary Society was constituted April 
27th. Jonathan Going was its first Corresponding Sccretar)'. 



133 

1832. The Ohio Canal was completed. 

1833. The New England Sabbath School Union was established. 

1836. Asa IMesser, the third President of Brown University, died at his 
residence in Providence, October 11th. 

1837. The American and Foreign Bible Society was formed April 27th, 
Thursday evening. 

1837. The great depression of Banks took place. 

1843. Annals of Providence, published by W. E. Staples. 

1846. War against Mexico was declared by the United States, March 11th. 

Treaty of peace was concluded February 2d, and was ratified May 

SOth, 1848. 
1852. Henry Clay died at Washington June 29th. 

1852. Daxiel Webster, died at Marshfield, October 24th. 

1853. Philip Allex, Governor of Rhode Island, was elected to the United 
States Senate, and was succeeded in the gubernatorial chair by 
Francis M. Dimond of Bristol. 

1853. The loss by fire in New York from October 1, is estimated at S4,- 
800,000 ; insurance $1,730,000. Among these arc the Harper's build- 
ings, the Metropolitan Hall, and Lafarge Hotel ; the latter is said to 
have been the finest building of the kind in the United States. 

1853. The steamer San Francisco a wreck from Dec. 21st to Jan. 5th, 1854, 
when she sunk — 200 lives lost. The Great Kepublic, the pride of 
its builder, the largest vessel ever constructed, in one hour was burnt 
level with the water. 



SETTLEMENTS OF STATES. 
Date. Names. By whom. 

1607, Virginia, English. 

1614, New York, Dutch. 

1620, Massachusetts, English Puritans. 

1623, New Hampshire, " « 

1624, New Jersey, Dutch. 

1627, Delaware, Sweeds and Fins. 

1634, Maryland, Catholics. 

1635, Connecticut, English. 

1636 Rhode Island, R.Williams. Eng. 

1650, North CaroHna, English. 

1670, South CaroUna, " Tay Co. 

1682, Pennsylvania, Penn.En. Quaker. 

1 733, Georgia, Gen, Oglethorpe. 

The above are the original Thirteen States. 



134 

States admitted into the Union since the adoption of the Federal Constitu* 
tion in 1 788, settled mostly by emigrants from the other States. 

1791, Vermont, 1817, Mississippi, 1837, Michigan, 

1792, Kentucky, 1818, Illinois, 1845, Florida, 

1796, Tennessee, 1819, Alabama, 1845, Texas, 
1802, Ohio, 1820, Maine, 1846, Iowa, 
1812, Louisiana, 1821, Missouri, 1848, Wisconsin, 

1816, Indiana, 1836, Arkansas, 1850, California* 

Presidents of Colonial Congress. 
1744, Peyton Randolph, 1774, Henry Middleton. 

Presidents of Continental Congress. 

1775, John Hancock, 1782, Elias Boudinot, 

1776, John Hancock, 1783, Thomas Mifflin, 

1777, Henry Lawrcns, 1784, Richard Henry Lee, 

1778, John Jay, 1785, Richard Henry Lee, 

1779, Samuel Huntington, 1 786, Nathaniel Gorham, 

1780, Thomas M'Kean, 1787, Arthur St. Clair, 

1781, John Hanson, 1788, Cyrus Griffin. 

Presidents of the United States. 
1789, George Washington. Retired 1797. Deceased Dec. 14th, 1799. 

1797, John Adams. " 1801. " July 4th, 1826. 
1801, Thomas Jefferson. " 1809. « July 4th, 1826. 
1809, James Madison. " 1817. «' June 28th, 1836. 

1817, James Monroe. " 1825. " July 4th, 1831. 
1825, John Quincy Adams. « 1829. " Feb. 23d, 1848. 
1829, Andrew Jackson. " 1837. " June 8th, 1845. 
1837, Martin Van Buren. " 1841. 

1841, William Henry Harrison. " April 4th, 1841. 

1841, John Tyler. " 1845. 

1845, James K. Polk. " 1849. " June 13th, 1849. 

1849, Zachary Taylor. " July 10th, 1850. 

1850, Millard Fillmore. " March 4th, 1853. 
1853, Franklin Pierce. Term expires March 4th, 1857. 

1853, W. R. King, Vice President of the United States, died at his resi- 
dence in Dallas Co., Alabama, April 18th, 1853. 

The United States territory began to be settled in 1607, being at this date 
247 years ago. The New England territory was established in 1620, two hun- 
dred and thirty-four years since; and Rhode Island in 1636, two hundred 
and eighteen years ago. And July Ath, 1854, the United States wiU have 
been a free and independent nation seventy-eight years. 

The population of the United States in 1850 was, 23,263,488. 

The valuation of the United States in 1850 was, $7,135,780,228. 



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